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Father Rescues Family From Latrobe House Fire

LATROBE (KDKA) -- Fire destroyed a home in Westmorland County this morning, but it all could have been so much worse if not for the action of the father who went through smoke to save his children and his wife.

Jennifer Siko was one of the many residents who watched in horror as the Spruce Street home in Latrobe caught fire.

"It was smoke, but very quickly you could see the flames spreading through the second story," said Sisko. "As soon as I saw smoke coming out the window, I grabbed some clothes and made sure everybody had gotten out and everybody was out."

Those people were a husband, wife and four children, as well as the family dog and cat.

The only one up at the time of the 4:30 a.m. fire was the father who apparently braved thickening smoke to save the ones he loved.

"I can't imagine having four kids, a wife in there and a couple pets, and getting everybody out," said Sisko. "With an old house like that, you don't know how fast the fire's going to spread."

Latrobe firefighters eventually got the upper hand on the blaze, but not before much of the family's belongings were destroyed.

Sisko and others made sure the mother of the family knew she wasn't alone.

"I told her everything is going to be all right. Things can be replaced, but people can't," said Sisko. "Whatever they need, let us know. I already called a couple people to try to get them some food and clothing or something like that."

The husband and wife have not been identified. The man suffered minor burns, but he's going to be okay.

The Red Cross is helping the family out.

The cause of this fire remains undetermined, but it's not believed to have been suspicious in nature.

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