Hart honored for life-saving effort
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BELINGTON -- A local fire department chief has been tapped as Chief of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs for his heroic actions saving the life of an elderly Belington resident during a March 4 house fire.
Belington Volunteer Fire Department Chief Phil Hart received the recognition during the SAFC annual meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina. Hart said it was an honor to receive the award.
"It is an honor not only for me but for the department and fire service in West Virginia," Hart said. "Without the support of my family it wouldn't be possible."
Hart, who serves as the chief of both the Belington Volunteer Fire Department and the Bridgeport Fire Department, said he had no clue he was going to receive the recognition, but his family did and they kept the secret.
"There was not a clue in the world," Hart said. "My family all knew and they did a good job of keeping quiet. At the annual banquet, my family came into the room for the announcement."
Hart was recognized for his life-saving effort during a fire on March 4 in Belington. The blaze erupted around 5:30 p.m. at a Talbott Road residence. Hart said when the fire call came, he had just got home after finishing up a gun raffle event at the fire department.
"I just got home and went to the call in my personal vehicle," Hart said. "There was extremely heavy smoke."
Hart said an individual outside the home confirmed that there was an elderly woman still in the residence. Hart went into the home without equipment to bring the woman to safety.
"I got down to look through the smoke and I heard her yell 'help me' and I went in with no hesitation," Hart said.
Hart suffered smoke inhalation injuries during the rescue and was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown by helicopter. Hart spent four days in the hospital and still has checkups, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Hart said he began his career in the fire department at a young age. His career in fire service started when he was 12 years old and a part of the Explorer Program. He then became a junior firefighter and then became a full-fledged volunteer.