Recall of heroic efforts by Volunteer firefighters

Gregory Herz and Brad Solomon said they were simply doing their duty, but the Endicott police officers, with a hand from two citizens, likely saved lives earlier this month at an apartment fire on Monroe Street.

Solomon was driving to the station at the stub of his shift Oct. 1 when he noticed crop up coming from the roost at 4: 34 p. m.

Solomon, an Endicott - native who has 10 agedness with West Corners volunteer fire department and a degree in fire protection from Broome Community College, didn ' t wait for backup.

" My first thought was to get people out of the structure, " he said.

Don Gross, of Apalachin, and Chris Scolaro, of Endicott, who were passing by, stopped to help and evacuate residents who had no idea there was a fire.

Solomon carried a 2 - year - old girl from the building.

The two officers swept through the apartments, and then climbed the stairs after being told by neighbors a woman, who had children, lived on the third floor.

After Herz kicked in the door, the two could see nothing but smoke. Solomon started coughing, but dropped to his stomach and crawled into the apartment, as Herz held onto his foot.

Solomon yelled, but nobody was in the apartment.

Solomon and Herz credited Endicott firefighters for making a quick stop on a raging fire.
Police Friday charged a tenant, Randy P. Foote, 52, with second - degree arson.