Pa. responder hurt when aerial ladder twists, collapses
Witnesses said Captain James Pennington slammed to ground on his back when ladder he scaled buckled, twisted, then collapsed without warning
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By Adam Brandolph
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — An Aliquippa firefighter was injured on Sunday while battling a blaze at a well-known auto repair and towing company.
Aliquippa Fire Capt. James "J.T." Pennington, 44, shattered his elbow and sustained other injuries while he and other firefighters attempted to extinguish a blaze at Junak's Auto Repair on Franklin Avenue, said fire Chief Dave Foringer. Pennington underwent surgery yesterday afternoon at Allegheny General Hospital on the North Side, Foringer said.
A Beaver County 911 dispatcher said the fire began about 6:30 a.m. and heavily damaged the second-floor of the building, while water, smoke and fire damaged the first floor.
Witnesses said Pennington slammed to the ground on his back when the ladder he scaled buckled and twisted, then collapsed without warning. It was unclear from how high he fell.
Dan Mraovich, 58, of Aliquippa, who has worked part-time at Junak's for about 15 years, said witnesses were watching flames tear through the second floor when the ladder suddenly gave way.
"It happened really fast. It was just 'Boom.' Then it was down," he said.
Started in 1962 by Joseph Junak, the auto repair business has been operated by his widow, Carole Junak, and their daughter, Karen Junak Lutz, since Joseph Junak died in May.
Lutz, who was alone in the building at the time the fire began, said a wood-burning stove ignited the blaze. Firefighters had the blaze under control by 9 a.m.
"It was just me," Lutz said. "I was able to get out."
She was unsure whether the building is salvageable or whether the family would rebuild.
A state police fire marshal in Beaver County is investigating.
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