Heroes Rescue Abandoned Elderly Women from San Bruno Fire Zone
It could have been one of the darkest chapters of last week's tragic fire in San Bruno. Instead, it's one of the most stirring acts of bravery and heroism. KCBS reporter Doug Sovern has the exclusive details in this KCBS Cover Story.
Sausage salesman Bob Petrini and his son raced into the Golden Era Senior Care Home to rescue six women, five of them in their 90's, after their caretaker ran out in a panic moments after the explosion.
After hearing Doug Sovern's report on KCBS, San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier wants to honor the Petrini's and all other good Samaritans who helped save their neighbors that night.
"That's an everyday hero," said Tissier. "Those are people who go above and beyond at a time when you least expect something like this to happen."
She says there will be some sort of formal public recognition ceremony.
As for the caregiver, the home's owner, Arnold De Leon, still can't believe she abandoned the women, one of whom was De Leon's own mother.
"I think it's a bad, insane thing to do for humanity's sake," said De Leon.
The county ombudsman is reviewing the case.
Tissier is alarmed that the woman wasn't better trained, and with so many small, privately owned residential care homes in the area, she wants a broad investigation to make sure something truly tragic doesn't happen the next time there's an emergency.
"Rather than looking to penalize, look to see if in any of these care homes we're truly preparing people for an emergency," said Tissier.
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