Local heroes recognized for saving elderly man from house fire
JOHNSVILLE — Reunions are always special occasions.
This one was perhaps even a bit more special.
For the first time since they saved Tom Moyer from a house fire on March 15, Bryer Miller and Bailey Dretzka met with the elderly man for a dinner in their honor at the Johnsville Fire Department recently.
Miller is a senior at Lexington High School, and Dretzka is a volunteer fireman for Johnsville.
The fire broke out around midnight on Ross Road, near the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Miller, who lives next door, happened to be awake texting his girlfriend. He heard something hit his window, then looked out and saw the flames.
He and his father, Charlie, rushed next door and secured a ladder from the Moyers' shed.
Meanwhile, Dretzka heard the scanner traffic and hurried to the address, wearing only a T-shirt, jeans and Crocs. He actually violated department policy by responding directly to the scene.
Dretzka went up the ladder with Miller behind him. Bryer's dad held the ladder steady. Together, Bryer and Dretzka were able to get Moyer to safety.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but it started in the attached garage. It has been ruled accidental.
Victims of house fire staying with relatives
Moyer, 83, and his wife Audrey are staying with relatives in Lexington. Their old home is not livable.
They were one of the first to arrive for the reunion dinner.
"I probably lost another step or two," Tom said of the ordeal.
He and Audrey are still trying to get back to normal. Tom lost both of his hearing aids in the fire and is waiting for new ones.
Tom wore a gray hoodie with the words "Honor the Fallen" on the front.
"I don't have any clothes. Somebody gave this to me," he said. "I don't care what it says as long as it's not dirty."
Charlie Miller stopped by to greet the couple.
"Neighbor from hell," Charlie joked.
Dretzka walked around the hall before dinner was served, visiting with his fellow firefighters. Johnsville has a tight-knit group of about 30 on the department.
He said he didn't know much about the dinner ahead of time, adding the rescue reinforced his career choice.
Dretzka is a mechanic for the Mansfield Fire Department, which is where he met Johnsville fire Chief Harlan Barrick. He decided to take a side job as a volunteer fireman with Barrick's influence.
Dretzka seemed a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. He had not yet reconnected with Bryer Miller.
"I'm just taking it in," he said. "I'll meet him eventually, let the chaos die down."
Audrey Moyer credits smoke detector
Audrey Moyer said she would never go without a smoke alarm.
"I had one. That's what woke me up," she said.
Tom and Audrey slept in separate beds. Just as her husband had help, so did Audrey. Johnny Gibson was another neighbor.
"I was coming back from a job in Willard," Gibson said. "As I turned onto Steam Corners, I saw the bright light. It was their house on fire."
Gibson said he got out of his car and entered the house, finding Audrey in the living room. He said he secured her exit and let her warm up in his car on the late-winter night.
"I went around the side. That's when the neighbors (Millers) showed up," Gibson said.
Audrey Moyer said she has fond memories of Bryer and his brother.
"They would get off the bus at the hall and walk across my yard," she said. "I think he (Bryer) was about 8 years old, 8 or 10."
Audrey would often have treats waiting.
"He's a special boy," she said of Bryer.
Bryer sat at the end of another table at the fire department, accompanied by several of his buddies from high school. Jamie Masi, the high school principal and an assistant football coach at Lexington, also made an appearance.
Bryer was a standout player on defense, making All-Ohio Cardinal Conference first team this past season.
Because some people were going to have to leave, the honorees received their awards prior to dinner, which was attended by trustees from three townships.
"This is a very special time for the people involved in that fire," Barrick said. "They went far and above what most people would have done."
Heroes receive awards for saving a life
Bryer and Bailey both received live-saving awards, Bryer as a citizen and Bailey as a firefighter. Each was honored with a plaque and a medallion.
"It's going in the truck," Bryer said of his award.
"We've only given out one other citizens' award since I've been here (37 years)," Chief Barrick said.
Both heroes had a personalized cake as well. They shared a few words and a handshake.
"He (Bailey) is exactly how I pictured him to be," Bryer said. "He's pretty laid back."
Tom Moyer applauded for them.
"I don't think that I'd be here if it wasn't for them boys," he said.
It was then time to eat.
Capt. Malcum Salyers prepared Shepherd's pie for the occasion. The veteran fireman said he arrived at 8:30 that morning to make dinner.
Bryer and his buddies dug in. This is a significant time for him. He will graduate from Lexington on June 2 and start his job with the village parks department three days later.
Bryer said the fire rescue showed him something about himself.
"I feel like I'm more ready to deal with situations like this," he said.
Bryer broke the rescue down to its essentials.
"I'm just glad Tom's here," he said.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Lexington student, Johnsville off-duty firefighter save man's life
