Nesquehoning officer honored for action at fire

A Nesquehoning police officer with a firefighting background was commended by council Wednesday for his quick action at a fire scene earlier this month.

Mayor Sam Kitchko presented part-time officer Derek Marouchoc with a citation on behalf of borough council and police Chief Sean Smith, recognizing his part in saving a home that was on fire on Oct. 16.

Kitchko said that Marouchoc was on patrol when he was dispatched for a dwelling fire at 14 N. Holland St. in the borough.

When he arrived, he found the home to be filled with smoke and a resident and her child standing outside the home.

He asked if anyone was inside the home, and when the resident said she wasn’t sure, he entered the structure to search for any additional occupants.

Upon clearing the home, Kitchko said Marouchoc found the source of the fire to be in the kitchen, with the stove, exhaust fan, overhead cabinets and back splash burning.

“He quickly extinguished the fire using the faucet hose from the kitchen sink,” Kitchko said. “Due to officer Derek Marouchoc’s quick thinking, persistence and determination, he prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the home and the attached home at that address and prevented any further loss of property.”

The commendation thanked Marouchoc for his dedication and professionalism in the face of danger and said that the borough was glad to have him as one of their part-time officers.

Marouchoc thanked council and then went back to duty.

Marouchoc has a history in volunteer firefighting and has been a member of the Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1 since he was 14. He is currently a lieutenant with the fire company.