Positivity: Retirement does not stop hero firefighter from saving man
Publish Date: 01/13/07
DAMASCUS — Tony Veith, a retired Montgomery County firefighter, was heading home to Mount Airy earlier this week when he rounded a corner and saw smoke and flames coming from a home in Damascus.
“I pulled up to make sure everyone was out of the house,” he said.
When he got to the house, he found a disoriented 70-year-old man trying to figure out how to unlock the door and get outside of his 26545 Ridge Road home.
“I guided him out,” Mr. Veith said. “He wanted to go back inside and get some stuff, but I told him ‘No, you can’t do that.’ Once I talked to him, he didn’t argue. I just helped him out and made sure no one else was in the house.”
Mr. Veith, 56, retired in May 2005 after 37 years with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. He’s still working on engine maintenance for fire companies in Rockville and Bethesda-Chevy Chase.
While the 70-year-old man was not injured, two firefighters received minor injuries.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said the man was unable to unlock the front door because he seldom used it. He usually used another door to get in and out.
Mr. Piringer said smoke and heat filled the house while Mr. Veith was helping the man escape. He later told fire investigators he was afraid he was not going to make it out as conditions were rapidly deteriorating.
Heavy smoke was coming from the house when the first firefighters got there about 11 p.m. Monday. Additional units from Montgomery, Carroll and Frederick counties also responded.
Mr. Piringer said the homeowner told fire investigators he had been watching a football game and at half time, got up to get clothes out of the dryer, but they were not dry.
He reset the dryer and went back to watching the game. About 15 minutes later, he began to smell smoke, Mr. Piringer said. Moments later he saw fire behind the dryer. He left and called 911, deciding to get out of the house through the front door. …..
