Recology trash collector helps family escape house fire

Recology trash collector helps family escape house fire
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A Recology residential driver in Eureka, California, has been heralded a local hero for jumping into action after witnessing a fire near his collection route.

As reported by KRCR TV, Matt Taylor was tipping bins during his morning route on Aug. 10 when he noticed a plume of smoke coming from about a block away and immediately drove to the house it was coming from. Taylor stopped his truck, set the parking brake, saw a resident standing across the street, and yelled, “Did you call 911?”

“Yes,” the bystander said.

Taylor then asked if people lived at the residence, which the bystander confirmed. This is when Taylor jumped out of his truck and ran to the house. He reportedly pounded on the front door and shouted for the people inside to come out.

The 17-year-old granddaughter of Catherine Bauer, owner of the house, heard Taylor’s pounding and shouting. The granddaughter woke up Bauer, and she came to the front door. That’s when Taylor told Bauer, “Your house is on fire! Get out now!”

Bauer, her two adult sons, and her granddaughter started evacuating. Two fire engines arrived shortly after as the family escaped their home unharmed.

Catherine’s daughter-in-law Maridee Farmer told KRCR TV that were it not for Taylor’s actions, they “couldn’t imagine how this would have turned out.”

Taylor is a lifelong resident of Eureka and has worked for Recology Humboldt County for 14 years, according to the company.

"Not only does he service the neighborhood where he spotted the second-story fire, Matt grew up about a block away. He remembers playing as a child in a tree that is still standing across the street from Catherine’s house," Recology states in an Aug. 13 press release.

“Matt cares a lot about his customers and his community," Operations Manager Frank Nelson says, adding that he also "showed himself to also be a man of courage" when it came to his actions Aug. 10.

General Manager Linda Wise adds, “I’m not surprised Matt would come to someone’s rescue. He has found keys, cell phones, wallets and has sought to get them back to their owners. Most, if not all, of our drivers are like that, looking out for the people on their routes. Matt has made his family and Recology very proud.”

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Source: Recycling Today
Recology trash collector helps family escape house fire
<![CDATA[A Recology residential driver in Eureka, California, has been heralded a local hero for jumping into action after witnessing a fire near his collection route. As reported by KRCR TV, Matt Taylor was tipping bins during his morning route on Aug. 10 when he noticed a plume of smoke coming from about a block away and immediately drove to the house it was coming from. Taylor stopped his truck, set the parking brake, saw a resident standing across the street, and yelled, “Did you call 911?”“Yes,” the bystander said. Taylor then asked if people lived at the residence, which the bystander confirmed. This is when Taylor jumped out of his truck and ran to the house. He reportedly pounded on the front door and shouted for the people inside to come out.The 17-year-old granddaughter of Catherine Bauer, owner of the house, heard Taylor’s pounding and shouting. The granddaughter woke up Bauer, and she came to the front door. That’s when Taylor told Bauer, “Your house is on fire! Get out now!”Bauer, her two adult sons, and her granddaughter started evacuating. Two fire engines arrived shortly after as the family escaped their home unharmed.Catherine’s daughter-in-law Maridee Farmer told KRCR TV that…