Girard firefighters were able to quickly respond to a two-story duplex fire at 72 E. Main St. last month after receiving a call from post office employees who said they saw and smelled smoke in the area.
According to Fire Department reports, firefighters responded to the home about 6 a.m. When they got there, the homeowner, Lee Gillette, was in her bedroom on the first floor and two tenants were in their apartment on the second floor. Ponzio said he believed firefighters helped the three out of the home.
When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the roof, and the three people inside unaware of the fire that had broken out in their attic.
"I don't believe they had smoke detectors," Girard Capt. Sal Ponzio said. "It's a good thing they (postal workers) found the smoke or they (the family) probably wouldn't have made it through."
The post office is located at 19 N. Market St., just less than a quarter of a mile from the house.
The department was assisted by Weathersfield Township Fire Department, and firefighters were on the scene about five hours, Ponzio said. The home is near the entrance to St. Rose School. The street was closed off, and while the school wasn't damaged, it was closed for the day.
The home is a total loss and will have to be demolished, Ponzio said.
The American Red Cross of Mercer and Trumbull counties assisted the residents.