Lt. Ryan Fortune was at Salisbury Beach with his family on Aug. 14 when he spotted thick black smoke pouring from nearby homes.
Fortune, a North Andover resident and 23-year veteran of the Methuen Fire Department, ran toward the fire. The blaze grew to five alarms, caused serious damage to four homes and seriously injured two people, the Eagle-Tribune first reported.
With no protective gear, Fortune checked surrounding homes to make sure residents had evacuated and helped rescue a man suffering from severe burns and smoke exposure. He and another bystander are credited with saving the man's life, according to the Eagle-Tribune.
The Methuen Fire Department said on Instagram that Fortune rescued several people from the building and helped arriving Salisbury firefighters pull hoses to fight the blaze, all without protective clothing.
Earlier this month, Fortune walked into a party at the Methuen fire station thinking he had ruined someone else's surprise.
The gathering was for him.
Wellpoint, a health benefits company, and 98.5 The Sports Hub honored Fortune with a Hometown Hero award for his actions that day in Salisbury. Wellpoint General Manager David Morales said firefighters embody a willingness to put others' safety first, on duty or not.
Methuen Fire Chief David Toto said Fortune had not made much of his actions, only volunteering the story when asked. "He really didn't say much about it," Toto said.
Toto described Fortune as an experienced fire officer and said in a press release that Fortune recognized a dangerous situation, understood immediate action was needed and put others' safety ahead of his own without hesitation. Toto said Fortune's training and leadership helped save a life and made a meaningful difference in the outcome of the fire.
Salisbury Fire Chief Scott Carrigan attended the ceremony and offered his congratulations, along with Methuen Mayor Beauregard and representatives from Wellpoint and 98.5 The Sports Hub. The Methuen Fire Department said Fortune was humble and gracious in his comments at the event.
