Broome woman, 90, rescued from burning home

PHOTOGRAPHER: Justin Mason

Martin Livingstone may not be an active member of the Broome Fire Department, but that didn’t stop him from rescuing his elderly neighbor from her burning home early Tuesday evening.

Livingstone was able to help a 90-year-old woman from a bedroom in her two-story residence on Mattice Road as flames shot from the rear of the residence, according to fire officials. The fire was initially called in by the woman’s daughter, who lives across the street, at about 5 p.m.

Broome Fire Chief Jason Wayman said Livingstone was able to enter the residence and help her to safety. About 50 responding firefighters from three companies were then able to attack the fire, containing it primarily to a converted porch at the rear of the house.

“It was a good save by the guys,” Wayman said later at the fire station. “They did a good job.”

There were no injuries during the fire, which took about an hour to extinguish. The Schoharie County fire coordinator was unsure what might have touched off the blaze. He said the cause is still under investigation.

Wayman said the house is uninhabitable but the structure appeared salvageable.

He credited Livingstone for his quick action in assisting the elderly resident. He said Livingstone is technically inactive, but said he’s still considered part of the department.

“Thank God he was there,” he said.