BY BRIEANN RICH
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Middleport Fire and Police Departments responded to a report of a structure fire at 9464 Rochester Road, shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday.
According to Middleport firefighters on scene, a passing motorist called 911 reporting the fire, then went to the house and began banging on the door and yelling to alert the occupants that their house was on fire.
The occupants, being unsure of what was happening, refused to open the door. The motorist, George Richardson, then broke out a window yelling “your house is on fire” as the Middleport police arrived on scene.
Middleport Police officers Roland Johnson and Brandon Annabelle entered the smoke filled residence rescuing Donald Lepkoske, 71, a retired member of the Medina Fire Department, and his 70-year-old wife, Marion.
Donald and Marion were treated for smoke inhalation by the Medina Fire Department Ambulance and transported to Medina Memorial Hospital. Officers Johnson and
Annabelle were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
“He did a really good job, calling in and standing by,” Johnson said of Richardson. “It was hot and there was black smoke through the whole house. We could only see a couple feet in front of us. I was glad guy who called in stayed at the door.”
The Middleport Fire Department, directed by Fire Chief Steve Cooley, fought the fire well into the morning hours with the assistance of Barker, Hartland, Wolcottsville and Ridgeway Fire Departments.
“I’m just really proud of all our firefighters and the two police officers for making the rescue,” Cooler said.
The fire is currently under investigation by the Niagara County Fire Investigation Team.
Medina Fire Department Ambulance and Tri-Town Ambulance treated several firefighters for exhaustion on scene.
