A 27-year-old Lewistown man was killed in an early morning fire last Tuesday after his rescue efforts helped save the lives of an elderly man, a three-year-old child and her mother.
Joseph Richter was killed during a fall from a fire escape from the second story apartments above four businesses in the 200 block of S. Main Street in Lewistown. Mac Rogers, Merilee Weirauch and her three-year-old daughter escaped down the fire escape without injury.
According to Fulton County Coroner George Kauzlarich, Richter returned from a bowling alley shortly after 1 a.m. to his apartment above Welch’s TV. He smelled smoke, and alerted Ms. Weirauch and her daughter. They in turn wakened Rogers.
The group tried to go down the stairs, said Kauzlarich, but was prevented by shooting flames. They then attempted to descend by the fire escape. Rogers carried the little girl down first, followed by Ms. Weirauch. As Richter was about to descend, he reportedly grabbed the railing which gave way and he fell to his death.
Welch’s TV and two adjoining businesses, Johnson’s Insurance and Bavary’s Restaurant were gutted by flames. Spoon River Tap was heavily smoke damaged. The structures were brick.
Five fire departments fought the blaze, bringing it under control in about four and one-half hours. Responding to the call were firefighters from Cuba, Astoria, Lewistown, Canton and Buckheart Twp. No fireman was injured in the blaze.
Flames from the fire were reported observed as far as two miles from the scene, in what was described as Lewistown’s worst blaze within memory.
No cause has been determined for the fire, and no damage estimate has been made.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Friday at Henry Memorial Home in Lewistown for Mr. Richter.
Richter was born May 10, 1952, in Canton, the son of Paul and Frances Sahr Richter. He was a bartender at Spoon River Tap in Lewistown.
Surviving are two sons, Eric of Canton and J.W. of Lewistown; his mother of Millston, Wis.; two brothers, William “Bill” of Canton and Steve of Macomb; and one sister, Mrs. Becky Bedwell of Rosedale, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his father.