Cops save couple in N.W. Side house fire

Police officers who responded Sunday to a call from an elderlycouple about suspicious noises rescued the couple from a fire intheir Northwest Side apartment building, authorities said.

Jack Ross, 74, and his wife, Gloria, escaped harm after theofficers rescued them and numerous pets from their first-floorapartment in the three-story brick building at 1320 N. Artesian earlySunday, said Sgt. Anthony Petrusonis of the Shakespeare District.

During the rescue, one officer suffered a second-degree burn onhis right hand and two other patrol officers were overcome by smoke.All were released after treatment at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital,Petrusonis said.

Fire Deparment officials said the cause of the fire was beinginvestigated.

The couple called police early Sunday about suspicious noises onthe floor above their apartment, according to Petrusonis.

The officers responded to the call as a potential burglary, butwhen they arrived, they saw fires on the third floor, he said.

The officers broke down the front door, got the Rosses out andchecked the second floor, but found no one there, Petrusonis said.The Rosses were the only people living in the building.

Petrusonis identified the officers as Jerry Pentimone, 29, whosuffered the hand burn; John Rodriguez, 22, and Mark Witorek, 22.