City council honors 2 for measures in the fire

In a special recognition ceremony on Monday during the city council of Pine Bluff, Cortez Shaw and Keyonta Washington were honored for their heroic actions during a devastating fire in the Piney Wood Apartments near Golden Lion Stadium.

The fire that took place last Tuesday caused great damage to property and brought the residents in great danger.

“It was so terrible and dramatic to the point where people jumped out of a window on the second floor,” said Pine Bluff Vivian Flower's Mayor and described the scene when she heard the news of the brand.

Pine Bluff Shauwn Howell's fire brigade, who reacted to the scene, provided a summary of the event.

“As a firefighter, there was a severe fire smoke, a lot of excitement and a lot of discomfort,” he said.

After everyone was out of structure, stories of heroic acts, especially through social media, began to add.

Firefighters were sent to the Piney Wood Apartments last Tuesday at 6:39 p.m. and the scene was clarified at 10:43 p.m., which were reported reportedly in an apartment in the lower hest and spread quickly into the top floor. According to reports, the residents were caught and initiated firefighting teams, search and rescue operations and a “quick attack” of the fire.

According to a fire report, “numerous” civilians were saved and saved. A fireman was injured.

A total of 20 firefighters fought in six companies against the fire, which contained a residential building with eight units. The structure suffered serious damage and its content became a greater loss.

“Four of the eight individual units received severe fire damage and four of the eight minor smoke and water damage,” says the press release.

Howell emphasized the importance of Shaw and Washington's efforts.

“A lot of accommodations to these two people who supported people who could not support themselves,” he said. “This was a serious fire and it was a two -story building, and it could have been really bad.”

He said that both men were in the apartment complex at the time of the fire, one on the upper floor and one below that a family member visited.

“It was just a very chaotic scene for a really short time, but they rose on this occasion, and it is an honor for me that they can say that they had great work when saving them.”

Howell also recognized the broader community efforts and said: “There were also others who also did great things, a community effort, and it only shows that we come together and do work in the time of need.”

When asked if he had something to say, Washington simply explained: “I just want to say that I thank God.”

“Things could have been seriously worse than what it was,” added Shaw. “I thank God that we kept ourselves with the right mind and the right actions.”

The city recognized the men with awards and read a quote that expressed “deep gratitude and sincere appreciation” for their “brave and selfless” actions. The quote also found its “quick and fearless reaction regardless of their own security”, which “illustrated the greatest commitment to humanity and saved a life”. The city said that her heroism “serves as inspiration for others”.

The city expressed its appreciation for its “quick action and its willingness to sacrifice their own lives in order to save others with needs at a time”.