CENTRALIA — Four area firefighters were honored Tuesday evening at the Centralia Fire Protection District station for actions taken in helping rescue a downed Centralia firefighter at a structure fire on June 24th.

While fighting a fire in the 500 block of South Maple in Centralia, Centralia City firefighter Cody Melton reportedly fell through the kitchen floor of the home.

Captian Chad Gormann, who was with Melton and another firefighter, received help from the CFPD’s RIT(Rapid Intervention Team) in lifting Melton to safety and then getting him outside.

The fire district had been called for mutual aid to help fight the blaze and was standing by with the RI Team when they heard Gormann’s call for help.

They quickly responded and followed Gormann’s directions, with two team members going into the basement to help stabilize Melton from below.

All four firefighters received a Letter of Commendation Tuesday from Centralia Fire Protection District Chief, Ross Boshera, for risking their own lives to save a fellow firefighter.

Those honored were Assistant CFPD Chief Dusty Garren, Lt. Billy Baird, Engineer Eric Smith, and Firefighter Dakota Whritenhour.

All Centralia Fire Protection District officers and firefighters were in attendance Tuesday night as were members of the Board of Trustees, and the families of those honored.