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by MICHELLE MASKALY
On a cold January night, with 2 feet of snow on the ground, Firefighter Joseph Pigott rushed into a blazing house on York Avenue in New Brighton and found an unconscious man, severely burned, in the rear bedroom.
Pigott, of Ladder Co. 78, carried Thomas Marshall, 38, from the apartment and outside to the street, risking his own life in an attempt to save another.
For his heroic efforts, Pigott, a 10-year FDNY veteran and a resident of Grant City, was named Firefighter of the Month during a ceremony yesterday in the Advance's Grasmere offices.
Advance Assignment Editor James Yates presented a $100 savings bond to Pigott and thanked him for his service to the community, as well as for giving hope to Marshall's family the night of the fire.
Sadly, Marshall, who apparently had run into the building to look for victims, died of his injuries several weeks later.
Pigott's superiors praised him for his work during the fire, explaining he would receive a Class 3 award from the Fire Department next year for the "unusual risk to his life" he took, said Deputy Fire Chief James Leonard.
"He did a tremendous job," said Capt. John Graziano, commanding officer of Ladder 78, who was at the fire.
Surrounded by his parents, brother, wife and three children, Pigott was modest about the incident.
"I have to thank the guys that worked that day. ... It wasn't a success just because of me," said Pigott, adding that his heart goes out to Marshall's family.
His wife, Judy, said she was happy for her husband.
"It's a big honor," she said. "We're very proud of him."
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