Hudson Valley Resident Saves Family of Seven From House Fire
A Hudson Valley resident is being hailed a hero after saving a family of seven from a house fire.
Michael Cola was out for a leisurely drive on Oscawana Lake Road in Putnam Valley when he noticed flames flaring out of a garage from one of the homes. Cola jumped out of his car and alerted the family of 7 who were inside. He tells ABC7 NY "I just stopped the car, got out and ran up the driveway. And I'm yelling, 'You're house is on fire.'"
Inside the home was Tiffany Wacaser and her six kids.
According to neighbors, they heard several explosions before they saw the flames. Cola, who was on his way to an auto body store, said everything happened quickly. "It really happened so fast. I'm on the phone with 911, the mom was a trooper, keeping everyone wrangled. We got everyone off to the side of the garage." The Putnam Valley Fire Department put the blaze out quickly once they arrived.
The garage and basement of the home saw the most damage, but more importantly everyone is safe. Wacaser says at least 10 families have reached out asking if they need a place to stay and is "touched by the way that the community responded."
As Michael Cola, he said he would do it again if need be.