Charles Mathewson was just about to go to sleep on June 7, 2005, when he heard crackling sounds coming from the house next door on Roesch Avenue in Buffalo's Riverside section. He saw an orange glow reflected on the driveway. The first floor apartment was on fire.
Knowing that six children and three adults lived in the house, Mathewson quickly ran over screaming and yelling to make sure that they were out of the house. He soon discovered that his neighbor, Bob Hooker, was trapped in the upper apartment and could not make it down the stairs. The smoke was so thick that Hooker asked Mathewson to keep yelling so that he could follow his voice.
Mathewson quickly grabbed a ladder and was able to help Hooker climb down safely. The victim suffered mild smoke inhalation and was treated at Sisters Hospital.
Had it not been for Mathewson's quick thinking and fast action, Hooker may have suffered severely.
The 100 Club of Buffalo recognizes Charles Mathewson for his heroic action on June 7, 2005.
