It has been 30 years since the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at 428 Lawrence Avenue in the borough, to the location of the now-former Elton Hotel.
That December 4th call would change the lives of many. While crews worked to contain the blaze, a catastrophic collapse occurred, which left two firefighters trapped inside. David “Ernie” Martino and Paul Frederick gave the ultimate sacrifice that morning while protecting the borough and its residents.
Now, this weekend, December 7th beginning at 11 a.m., a memorial service will be held to pay tribute to these heroes, 30 years later. A procession will begin at the fire station and make its way to the former site of the Elton Hotel. A wreath-laying ceremony and service will take place at the location. We are asking residents to line Lawrence Avenue to pay tribute along with our firefighters to these two men.
“They paid the ultimate sacrifice for this community,” Myers said in a 2014 interview. “Every year on [that date] we hold some type of memorial service, either in the community or in-house. Seven guys are still here that were there that day. They were good guys.”
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It is hard to believe that 30 years has past since the tragic fire in Ellwood City. I knew both of the men and I do remember that morning like it was yesterday. They were heroes and are never forgotten
How come nobody ever mention’s the the two elderly gentlemen that also passed away in that fire????