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Local man credited with saving Tri Village Boston Pizza from fire

Matthew Kloeck earned the praise of assistant general manager May Forteza for snuffing out the potentially bad blaze.

It was his quick-thinking and calm demeanour that turned an average evening into one local resident Matthew Kloeck won’t soon forget.

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Kloeck was washing up in the bathroom after finishing dinner with his fiancée at the Boston Pizza by the TransAlta Tri-Leisure Centre Feb. 7 when he noticed a haze and light coming from one of the stalls.

Distroscale

The fan in the ceiling had caught fire and instinctually, Kloeck ran to get a fire extinguisher and alert staff.

It was this simple gesture that’s earned the praise of assistant general manager May Forteza for snuffing out the potentially bad blaze.

She was surprised that he did not run away.

“He was so brave to stick around,” she said. “I was about to leave the building that night and saw him and Ryan Byers doing what was needed. It got dealt with and in this day and age, it feels like it is rare for people being willing to extend a helping hand. They deserve praise.”

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Kloeck with staff after he helped stop the fire in the men’s bathroom Feb. 7.Photo by Facebook

The bathroom is now back to how it was before the incident. In the time since, people have called Kloeck a hero online and said that he did an “awesome job”. Kloeck attributes his willingness in the moment to his trades’ background and much like others who have done good in life, insists that he is no hero.

“I did not think this would go this far,” Kloeck said. “I thought a gentleman was vaping and initially paid no mind to it. Many people around our province and country are trained to react in those situations. I am no hero. Real heroes are law enforcers, firefighters, our EMTs, doctors and all those who save lives. I was simply in the right place at the right moment.”

Ryan Byers could not be reached for comment on his role in the evening.

epretzer@postmedia.com
twitter.com/EvanJPretzer
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