Springing to Action
Student Rescues Neighbor from Burning Home
A beautiful autumn day in Western Pennsylvania could have turned fatal for a local resident had it not been for the heroic actions of Renno Young.
Eighteen year-old Renno, of Bethel Park will graduate in January 2015 from the local High School. On October 3, his usual trip from the Steel Center for Career and Technical Education to the school turned eventful.
Intending to stop at his home, Renno turned down his street and noticed flames and smoke billowing from a neighbor’s house. As he got closer, he could see someone trying to open the garage door of the nearly engulfed house.
Flames were shooting all around the garage. Young stopped his car and jumped into action, running up the driveway and opening the garage door. A cloud of smoke came from the garage, revealing the trapped woman. He carried her from the burning home and called 9-1-1.
The woman was wearing a burnt oxygen mask. Young retuned to the burning home with another neighbor and carried more than 20 oxygen canisters away from the house. They averted another incident, the heated tanks could have become explosive missiles.
Paramedics transported the homeowner to a Pittsburgh area hospital in serious, but stable, condition. The fire completely destroyed her house.
Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company Chief Dave Gerber said the fire likely started in the lower level of the house. Seven fire companies responded, but could only attack the fire from the outside, due to the risk of additional oxygen tanks in the home.
“Had it not been for the actions of Mr. Young, this would have likely been a fatality. He is truly a hero,” the Fire Chief shared.
Renno’s State Farm agent, Chuck Falkowski, treated the young man to lunch, expressing his appreciation for Renno’s actions.
“This young man is so deserving of this recognition, it is an honor to have him and his family as part of the State Farm family,” the agent shared.
Renno doesn’t consider himself a hero and didn’t think twice before jumping into action. He calls his actions, “divine intervention.” Very humble about the entire incident, Renno, who works for his family’s restaurant, quietly asked his agent how to get the smoky smell from his car.
The Municipality of Bethel Park and the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company recently recognized Renno for his heroic actions by presenting him with a Medal of Valor and a certificate at a council meeting.
