DALTON, Mass. — The evening of Sept. 2 was a tragedy for the family at 38 Deming St. when a fire broke out at their home, but thanks to the fast actions of a civilian and a police officer, further devastation was evaded.

 

The town honored six individuals on Monday for their efforts and involvement in mitigating damage from the fire.

 

"It's very important to recognize good things when they happen, even though in the wake of a tragedy for a family, some really exceptional actions by both residents of our community and officers in our department rose to the level that I felt strongly needed to be recognized," Police Chief Deanna Strout said. 

 

At 10:45 p.m., Joseph Hassoun, a resident of 48 Deming St., was watching a movie with his wife, Jodi, when he heard a crackling noise. Unsure what it was, the duo wondered if it was coming from their television. 

 

A trip to take the garbage out proved that theory incorrect when Hassoun saw light from the flames coming from the back of their neighbor's house and quickly realized what was happening. 

 

Hassoun jumped into action, yelling out to his wife to call 911. The Fire Department was dispatched at 10:50 p.m. and had it controlled in about 10 minutes with mutual aid from Cheshire, Hinsdale, Lanesborough and Pittsfield.

 

While awaiting the emergency response, Hassoun ran over to warn the occupants, especially the resident whose bedroom was right above the growing fire. 

 

"What's amazing about living in a small town is that your neighbors know where your bedroom is in your house," and he knew where to throw the rocks to try and wake them "when that didn't work, he went in and got them," Strout said. 

 

He knocked on the door, but they didn't wake up. He started throwing rocks at the window, but still nothing. At this point, the fire had engulfed the side of the house and spread to the kitchen, which is underneath one of the bedrooms. 

 

"I knew something had to happen right then and there. The lady on 911 that Jodi was on the phone with said [something] like 'you got to do whatever you have to do to get them out of the house, to wake them up,'" Hassoun said. 

 

So, he decided to kick in the door. It took five tries for the door to give way, but when it did, he entered the smoke-filled house, went to the base of the stairs, and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Your house is on fire," until the residents came downstairs. 

 

Both of the female residents and their two dogs safely made it out of the building. Hassoun later learned from a firefighter that the neighbor, whose room was directly above the fire, had about five minutes to get out of the house.

 

For Hassoun's heroic actions that night, the Dalton Police Department gave him a plaque for his Civilian Life-Saving Award and the department's first challenge coins. The department recently order 300 challenge coins to distribute to residents at events. 

 

"Honestly, it's not about me, it's about them. This means a lot, and I'm super grateful for it, but it was more about just making sure that they woke up the next morning. Their dogs are OK [and] their house is still 80 percent intact," Hassoun said. 

 

"They have a long road ahead of them. It's more about them than it is me. This is cool, and this is really nice, but I was more just about making sure that they were okay. They're my neighbors. That's the most important thing."

 

Hassoun was not the only one who helped that night.

 

When the call came about a structure fire and possibly two people still inside, the Police Department was in the middle of a shift change. 

 

Sgts. Geoffrey Powell and James Duryea were amazed at how fast Officers Anthony Baroli, Joseph Coote, and Taggart Roosa had gotten into their cruisers and driven to the scene. 

 

While on his way to his shift, Baroli heard the fire call and quickly went to provide aid, not even wearing his uniform yet.

 

"Once on the scene, they made contact with the two residents on the front porch of the house. The fires and smoke were easily seen from the roadway at the back of the residence. The officers quickly prompted them to leave the front of the house and move to a safe location," Powell said in his letter recommending commendation. 

 

It was then that one of the residents realized one of her dogs was still in the house, so she ran back inside. Baroli "ran right back in after the homeowner got her and her dog safely out of a burning home," his letter said. 

 

"[Baroli] did have to be transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. He was held there for a few hours, probably against his will, but was released and returned to us two days later, healthy," Strout said. 

 

Once the owner and her dog were safely out of the house, Baroli and the other officers assisted the two residents to the neighbor's house. 

 

While walking there, the elderly resident lost consciousness and fell to the ground. 

 

Baroli and Coote attended to her and were able to revive her and move her to safety. Roosa ensured the other woman and her dogs made it to the neighbor's house. 

 

Coote and Roosa received a Unit Citation, which is awarded for the participation of members of an operating unit in a cited action. 

 

When officers wear their dress uniform there is a folder that holds the award medal bars so the accomplishments can be seen "and it's pretty amazing," Strout said. 

 

Baroli was given the meritorious award, which is given for a "highly unusual accomplishment under adverse conditions with some degree of hazards to life and limb to the nominee or where death or injury to a third party is prevented," Strout said. 

 

Strout also presented Powell and Duryea the department's very first leadership citations. 

 

They cultivated a shift of officers to make actions like these, she said.

 

The sergeants quickly divided up the credit to the officers and Hassoun and that is "really amazing leadership. Humble in their hearts to give that credit for their officers that did such a great job," Strout said. 

 

Recognitions

 

Civilian Life-Saving Award: Joseph Hassoun 

 

Leadership Citation Award: Sgt. Geoffrey Powell and Sgt. James Duryea

 

Unit Citation: Joseph Coote and Taggart Roosa

 

Meritorious Award: Anthony Baroli