Three local firefighters who saved five lives from a burning building at 320-322 W. Broad St. in Tamaqua on Aug. 12 were recognized by Coaldale Borough Council this week with certificates of courage.

The certificates represent acts of bravery that were instrumental in saving another person’s life.

Council President Angela Krapf said the Coaldale fire department was called in to a fire in Tamaqua and, due to what Krapf called a chance occurrence, the team was already in the area tending to another call.

Coaldale was en route to the other call so they were able to divert to be the first on scene.

Fire Chief Steven Polischak wrote a commendation letter to council, praising John Arner and Assistant Chief William Morana. Thomas Nelson, a Tamaqua firefighter, was also involved in the rescue.

Polischak said as the Coaldale trucks were pulling up to the building they saw a woman frantically waving from a third-floor window.

Firefighters tried to make contact with her but she went back inside.

“The occupants had to flee from the apartment to the roof. Four adults and an infant ended up being trapped on the balcony of their third-floor apartment.”

Heavy smoke and fire blocked their exit.

“The Coaldale Tower crew led by Assistant Chief William Morano positioned and maneuvered the bucket of Coaldale’s Tower under extreme fire locations to a location on the roof. Firefighters John Arner and Thomas Nelson left the safety of the bucket of Tower 4024, maneuvered across the roof to the location of the victims, assisted them onto the roof and then guided them to bucket of Tower 4024,” Polischak wrote.

The adults, infant and firefighters were picked up from the roof and brought to safety.

Polischak added, “Shortly after removing everyone from the roof, fire reached the location where all seven were standing.”

As this was happening, Coaldale’s engine crew established a water supply and began searching for other victims.

Polischak concluded, “Due to the valor, professionalism and bravery of the Coaldale fire department, along with the Tamaqua Fire Department, the victims were saved and a tragedy was averted.”