Iraq Navy Veteran Pulls Woman from Burning RV

RV Catches Fire, Closes Road in Poconos
WNEP 16 News
BY AMANDA KELLEY AND SARAH BUYNOVSKY
SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

MOUNT POCONO -- Part of Route 611 was closed in Mount Pocono after an RV on fire literally rolled down the road late Friday morning.

This RV fire happened right in the heart of Mount Pocono in the middle of the day and a local assistant fire chief actually watched as it all unfolded.

Owner Joseph Salce says he lived in that RV with his girlfriend.

"We were just driving along and all of a sudden smoke started rolling out of the back of the motor home," Salce recalled. "I pulled over, thank God we were able to get everything out."

It happened on a busy stretch of road and Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company's assistant chief just happened to be driving by. He watched it unfold, too, not able to do much without his fellow volunteers.

Christopher Chmielnicki of Mount Pocono said he saw the flames and jumped into action when he heard there was a woman inside that RV.

"I climbed inside the RV on my hands and knees and I felt around and I found her, I'd say more than three-quarters of the way toward the back, where the bedroom is. I found her unconscious so I picked her up and I carried her all the way to the stairs," Chmielnicki said.

Chmielnicki was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

While there, the veteran of the Navy who served in Iraq said he got time to meet with the woman he rescued.
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