LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Christina Gradozzi was just finishing up her shift as an MBTA bus driver Wednesday night when she spotted smoke on Moulton Street.
Now, because of her actions, she's being called a hero.
She told WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal she grabbed the fire extinguisher that is equipped on all MBTA buses and acted on impulse.
"I was heading home, and I happened to notice a flame in the second floor of somebody's house," she said. "I wasn't thinking about it, I just remembered I have a fire extinguisher on my bus, and I pulled over and hopped into action."
She was cool and calm enough to remember to put blocks under the tires and secure the bus before rushing in.
Another man followed her into the home. Gradozzi didn't get his name, and says she'd like to.
"It was so hot in there, the flames were spreading so fast," she said.
After something exploded, the two of them rushed out.
"I flew out the house, I started ringing everybody's doorbell, banging on doors, screaming 'Fire!'," she said.
A Lynn Police officer helped Gradozzi and made sure she was okay after the Lynn Fire Department arrived. She said she'd like to say thank you to the officer.
The fire went to four alarms, burned through two buildings, and injured two firefighters.
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Gradozzi said she wishes she could have helped stop it.
"I only had one fire extinguisher," she said.
Afterward, she drove the bus back to the garage, finished her shift, went home to her boyfriend, and got up the next day to drive her bus again.
Firefighters said what Gradozzi did is something you should not do, but the bus driver took it in stride.
"It's just another day at the T!" Gradozzi said.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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