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Firefighters rescue man from burning mattress

IRWIN, Pa. — Firefighters in Irwin rescued a man Wednesday from his apartment, where he was found lying on a burning mattress, officials said.

Emergency crews were called to the fire at the apartment above Frank & Tucci's bar on Oak Street.

Two officers who were the first to arrive tried to make their way into the apartment, but were overcome by smoke. When two firefighters got to the scene, they rushed in and found the man on the mattress.

“It honestly just looked like he was sitting on the bed. I don't know if he fell asleep or had a medical emergency,” Scott Urias, who is a volunteer firefighter and a police officer, said.

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Urias and fellow firefighter R.J. Swenson ran up a set of stairs to the apartment amid the smoky conditions.
"There was one focus, one angle: getting the guy out," Swenson said.

The man was pulled outside by Urias and Swenson. He suffered severe burns to his legs and was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital.

“It's just what we are here to do, in all reality. We train for it hard. You hope you never have to do it, but you do what you need to,” Swenson said.

Officials believe the man was smoking in bed. The owner of the building said there is not much damage.