MONGAUP VALLEY – A Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputy is credited with saving a Mongaup woman and her dog from a burning home.
Around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, Deputy Kevin Lupardo, who was on patrol in the area, was called to a house fire at 20 Gaynor Road. He arrived before the Smallwood Fire Company, entered the smoke-filled building and led the occupant and her dog to safety. He then took the fire extinguisher from his patrol car, went back into the house and put out the fire.
Both the deputy and the resident, Maria Nunez, suffered minor smoke inhalation. They were examined by Mobile Medic EMS at the scene and refused medical aid.
A preliminary investigation by the fire department and county fire investigators indicated the fire may have been started by a cigarette.
Sheriff Michael Schiff, who praised Deputy Lupardo, wasn’t totally surprised by his actions. In addition to his job in law enforcement, Lupardo is also a volunteer firefighter in Youngsville. “It’s in his blood,” said the sheriff.
