HUNTINGDON - Huntingdon County's chief clerk was rescued Thursday morning by a volunteer firefighter from her burning home at 1308 Warm Springs Ave.
Firefighter David Fortson climbed a ladder and rescued Michelle Cerrett from a second-floor bedroom after the blaze broke out about 12:30 a.m., Chief Jim Grace of the Huntingdon Regional Fire and Rescue Department said.
Grace called the rescue a cooperative effort among borough police, the ambulance crew and firefighters.
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Cell phone video of woman's rescue from house fire
Fortson suffered minor injuries and was taken to J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital, which is across the street from Cerett's home, where he was treated.
Cerrett was taken to J.C. Blair for treatment and then taken to a hospital in Pittsburgh where she underwent additional treatment and was released, Grace said.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by Fire Marshal and Police Chief Rufus Brenneman but it is not considered suspicious in nature. It is believed the fire started on the first floor of the home, Grace said.
The home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene, Grace said.
Cerrett's son Robert was not at home when the fire broke out.
Cerrett had insurance and she and her son are staying with family members in the Huntingdon area, Grace said.
Firefighters remained on the scene for about four hours. American Red Cross volunteers also assisted at the scene.
