Shrewsbury mail carrier helps extinguish fire at home on his route

A Shrewsbury mail carrier named Pjerin Kita is being recognized for his courageous actions in extinguishing a fire at a home on his delivery route Thursday morning. Kita noticed smoke and flames coming from a recycling bin near the house on Bruce Avenue and heard desperate calls for help from sisters Sharon and Cheryl Collaro inside the home.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Kita quickly moved the burning recycling bin away from the house, where flames were spreading rapidly. "He picked it up with his two hands," Sharon Collaro recalled, noting that he saved their lives by removing the bin from the dangerous spot. The fire, which originated in the recycling bin, posed an immediate threat to the home and its occupants.

Caught in a harrowing moment, Sharon Collaro described the overwhelming smell of smoke and burning plastic, which made it a terrifying experience for her. Despite the danger, Kita remained calm and collected, even pouring rainwater from an outside bucket on the bin to help control the fire before firefighters arrived.

Shrewsbury Fire Chief Seth Colby praised Kita for his quick thinking and bravery, acknowledging that in today’s society, many might choose to look away in a moment of crisis. Thanks to Kita's decisive actions, the damage was minimized, and the sisters were able to remain in their home.

While the sisters plan to express their gratitude with a gift for Kita, he humbly dismisses the notion of being a hero, stating, "I just did what I was supposed to do." His selfless actions during that critical moment exemplified more than just a day’s work for the dedicated mail carrier.