A Jamestown firefighter is pictured Friday afternoon at 109 Kidder St. A 19-year-old rescued from the residence after a fire broke out later died from his injuries. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

More details began to emerge over the weekend regarding the quick and “heroic” action by members of the Jamestown Fire Department, coupled with a split-second decision by police and EMS, that saved a 3-year-old child from a fire that later claimed the life of the teenager watching him Friday afternoon.

Officials say the series of decisions made once first responders arrived on scene of a devastating blaze at 109 Kidder St. proved potentially lifesaving. “I would like to point out the extreme heroic events that were witnessed by many police officers and other bystanders of the Jamestown firefighters who worked at the scene and immediately entered the burning residence in an effort to rescue those individuals who were trapped inside,” said Capt. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department.

The cause of the blaze, reported around 1:45 p.m., has not yet been released, and city fire investigators with the assistance of the Jamestown Police Department continue to conduct interviews and collect information.

County dispatch informed firefighters and those responding to the Kidder Street home there was word of an infant possibly trapped inside. It was then later confirmed it was a 3-year-old male child inside, along with 19-year-old Jacob Rishel Harrison.

Samuelson told The Post-Journal that Harrison, who resided on the first floor of the home, was watching the child that afternoon. Harrison was in a relationship with the child’s mother.

Pictured is Jacob Rishel Harrison, a 19-year-old who died after a fire broke out at 109 Kidder St. in Jamestown on Friday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Submitted photo

Firefighters encountered smoke and flames inside the residence. Both victims were rescued from the burning structure and brought outside.

With the 3-year-old in hand, Samuelson said, the decision was made to transport him by police vehicle to UPMC Chautauqua. While an ambulance was on scene along with EMS personnel, the police captain said transportation by vehicle was deemed to be a much quicker option.

With Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson driving, the 3-year-old child was quickly whisked away with another officer and member of Alstar EMS in the back providing care.

“It was determined that method would be the quickest way to rush the child to the hospital,” Samuelson said. “They were able to get the child to UPMC within 60 seconds due to the close proximity to the hospital where additional life saving measures continued.”

Harrison was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. However, around 6 p.m. on Friday, Jamestown police announced the 19-year-old had died due to his injuries. News of his passing resulted in an outpour of comments and support on social media.

A firefighter who had entered the residence reportedly suffered burns and was treated at the hospital.

On Sunday, Samuelson said the child remained in “stable but critical” condition at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.

Samuelson said anyone with information regarding the fire can call the Jamestown Police Department at 716-483-7537 or via the anonymous tip at 716 483 Tips (8477).