REGIONAL – Just before midnight on Aug. 18, the home at 383 Linebrook Rd. caught fire with an elderly resident and his son trapped on the second floor.
Ipswich and Rowley firefighters responded and saved Joseph Mello Sr., who is disabled, and his son, Joseph Mello Jr. in what Ipswich Fire Chief Paul Parisi called “a low frequency, high risk rescue operation.”
Ipswich police sergeant Mark Ruggerio was the first on the scene and tried to enter the house to rescue the Mellos, but the fire and smoke had already engulfed the first floor.
Fire engines from Ipswich and Rowley arrived, and firefighters scaled a ladder to enter a second-floor bedroom where the Mellos were. Joe Mello Jr., who lives nearby, heard about the fire as he was preparing to take a shower. He ran in his bathrobe to rescue his father.
The son could not get his father down the stairs before the fire and smoke reached them, but managed to move the 80-year-old away from the fire and position him near the window where the firefighters were entering. The firefighters lifted the senior Mello onto the ladder and carried him to safety.
Last week, the Ipswich Fire Chief Paul Parisi with Selectboard and members of the Rowley Selectboard recognized Ipswich Lt. Pat Dingle and Firefighter Blake Emerson, Rowley Lt. Matt Harney and Lt. Merissa Titus-Abate for saving the Mellos.
“Unfortunately, the house was a total loss, but two lives were saved,” Parisi said.
Commendations were awarded the four rescuers, and the chief said he has recommended them for the state Department of Fire Services’ life-saving award.
Others in the rescue operation were Ipswich Firefighter Tom Rice, Rowley Firefighter John Ward, Dispatcher Olivia St Peter, Lieutenant Jeremy Dalton, Deputy Chief Lee Prentiss, Rowley Chief Mark Emery, Topsfield Chief Jenifer Collins-Brown and Ruggerio who charged into the house.
The chief also recognized Joe Mello Jr., who risked his life to save his father. ♦
