Mass. Firefighter Recalls Shielding Crash Victim

May 22--BEVERLY -- Lt. Paul Rideout didn't have much time to think.

A man was pinned under a burning vehicle that had flipped onto its side. Flames from the car's engine shot perilously close to the immobile body. Rideout and his two fellow firefighters tried twice to free the victim but could not budge him.

The car, a 1999 white Buick Park Avenue, was lying on the man's head and back, his legs sticking out from underneath.

"At this point, the flames were only inches away from the man," Rideout said. "I just had to protect the victim from catching on fire because it was only a matter of seconds."

So Rideout, a 14-year veteran of the Beverly Fire Department, did something that almost defies description. He placed his body on top of the man's legs, forming a human protective shield.

For two minutes, maybe more, Rideout lay on top of the man next to a wall of flames, shielded by his protective fire coat and his helmet. He grabbed the vehicle's shattered windshield, which he spotted lying on the ground, and used it as a barrier against the fire. He spread part of his fire coat, which he had unzipped, over the unknown man lying motionless next to him.

Rideout's effort was ultimately in vain. The victim, whom police identified yesterday as 55-year-old Michael Fiore of 171 Hart St., Beverly, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Despite the tragic ending, Rideout's heroic actions were lauded yesterday by his fellow firefighters. Deputy fire Chief Peter O'Connor said firefighters are trained to make split-second decisions, but you never know how you will respond until you are thrust into that situation.

Of Rideout's response, O'Connor said simply, "That was awful brave."

The crash took place just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday on a sharp curve on Hale Street, Route 127, past the Landmark School on the way toward Beverly Farms. Rideout and his crew on Engine 3, firefighters Rick Berry and Brian Latulippe, who are based at the Farms fire station, were first on the scene.

Rideout said the car was lying on its right side on the sidewalk, sandwiched between a utility pole and a rock wall.

Fiore was pinned under the vehicle, with only his legs and feet visible. The three firefighters tried twice to pull him free but could not.

As Berry and Latulippe rushed to hook up the fire hose to a hydrant, Rideout made the quick decision to protect Fiore with his own body.

"I was basically in the fire at that point," Rideout said.

As he lay on top of Fiore, Rideout reassured him that firefighters would get him out. Fiore did not respond.

To protect his face from the flames, which were licking at his protective coat on the right side, Rideout rotated his head to the left and turned his fire helmet toward the heat.

"It was extremely hot," he said. "I couldn't wait to hear the water coming out of the hose."

Berry and Latulippe quickly got the hose on the fire, and Rideout felt the cool spray falling down on him.

"It actually felt good," he said.

Rideout estimated he was on top of Fiore for two to two-and-a-half minutes.

"I stayed right in position until Latulippe told me the fire was knocked down," Rideout said. "He said, 'The fire's out.' I said, 'Great.'"

Asked if he worried about the vehicle exploding, Rideout said, "That crossed my mind once or twice."

Once the fire was out, Truck 1 and paramedics had arrived. With the extra manpower, they were able to move the vehicle and free Fiore. He was quickly given CPR but could not be revived.

"Everybody on the scene did a great job. But it wasn't meant to be, and that's the way it goes," Rideout said.

Beverly police Patrolman David Costa said the cause of the accident is under investigation. Police are asking any witnesses to call the station or submit tips through the department's website, Facebook page or MyPD app.

Rideout was taken by ambulance to Beverly Hospital with what he called "minor" burns to the right side of his face, neck and ear. He was also treated for smoke inhalation, then released.

Rideout, a 46-year-old Beverly native, was quick to praise the work of all who responded, in particular his crew mates on Engine 3, Latulippe and Berry.

"We've got a great crew," he said. "It was really a great team effort, and we really gave it our all."

As for his own actions, Rideout downplayed any talk of heroism.

"I did what any other firefighter would do," he said. "That's what we do."

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.

Copyright 2012 - The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.