An injured fireman in Lancaster is still fighting to recover, but the community is not forgetting his sacrifice. During the early morning hours of February 18, a massive fire tore through a home on the 200 block of East Madison Street in Lancaster.
Lt. Andre Kelley was badly injured when he ran inside to save two trapped people. Kelley is still in the Crozier Chester Burn Center, but his uncle says he is improving. He’s had two skin graphs, and the tube removed from his throat. He is eating solid food and talking. But he’s in a lot of pain and is heavily sedated. His uncle says Kelley remembers everything, running into the fire, being knocked down and even riding in the ambulance. Today, at Molly’s Pub in Lancaster, hundreds came out to support Lt. Kelly, whose body suffered 40% burns.
The fundraiser goes until 10:00pm if you would like to stop by Molly’s on East Chestnut Street in the city and support Lt. Kelley. All the profits go to his family.
A Lancaster City Fireman is still in critical condition after being severely burned in a fatal house fire early Monday morning.
On Tuesday, we learned that Lt. Andre Kelley who is currently in a burn unit, comes from a family of firemen with nearly 60 years of service to Lancaster City.
“We pray for Andre. He’s a great firefighter and he’s a tough individual. He’s going to pull through this.” Said Chief Tim Gregg, of the Lancaster City Fire Department.
On Monday morning, a fire tore through a home on the 200 block of E. Madison Street in Lancaster, Lt. Andre Kelley risked his life to save the people trapped inside. Both people trapped in the house, died in the blaze. Kelley suffered severe burns.
Gregg said he's not surprised Kelley put his life on the line to save others. “He’s very dedicated to his job. I think this shows his level of dedication where he immediately put himself in peril to rescue and adult victims and child upstairs.”
Kelley’s family tells CBS 21 the 32-year-old has been a fireman for 12 years. The McCaskey graduate married his high school sweet heart and they have two children.
We are also told Kelley comes from a family of firemen. His father served Lancaster City for 27 years and his uncle is in his 18th.
A brother-in-law of one of the victims of the fire says to him, Kelley is a hero. “Any fire fighter who is going to risk their lives by going into a burning blaze and doing there job and help and taking the risk. They are heroes.”
Lt. Kelley is in the Chester-Crozier Medical Center. We will keep you updated on his condition.
He is expected to live.