Call it luck or divine intervention... something made Ray Kozak drive a different route past the Catholic church in Washington. That decision likely saved the church rectory from burning to the ground Tuesday afternoon.
Kozak was headed down Route 47, with his son Adam, when they decided to stop by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church where Kozak's wife works in the rectory. The decision to take Route 47, rather than Route 109, may have saved the rectory from disaster, said Kozak.
"My wife was out there waving down cars trying to get help and she told me the rectory was on fire," said Ray Kozak.
"It was just by chance that we were so lucky to be here right at the right time," said Adam Kozak.
A large tree had fallen across Route 47, snapping power lines and shorting wires into the rectory, according to the fire marshal. That sparked a fire near the rectory's utility box that was in danger of spreading quickly, said Ray Kozak. The two checked out the problem, and then ran over to the church.
"I went in and called 911 because the phone wasn't working in the rectory," said Adam couldn't/p>
"They had fire extinguishers in the building (rectory) but I couldn't go in, and I found one in the church and I came over here and I shut down the fire," said Ray Kozak.
By this time, the fire was creeping under the front porch, said Ray Kozak. Fortunately, it stayed away from propane tanks located in the back of the building, he said. Firefighters were delayed due to the fallen tree, said Ray Kozak. The flames were out by the time they arrived.
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"The fire chief told me that if I had not put it out, it would have been a major problem. They said they could have lost the building instead," said Ray Kozak. "I believe God was watching out for all of us."
