OXFORD – The Oxford Fire Department held its annual recognition dinner on Saturday, where a firefighter of the year was named and a volunteer was recognized for saving several people's lives from a roaring house fire.

Oxford Fire Department Volunteer Firefighter Shane Ingraham was named firefighter of the year over 20 years of dedicated service, ongoing training, and commitment to his community.

Cody Maricle also received praise after he saved a family from death while out of state.

According to Susquehanna Fire Department Assistant Chief Kevin Kelly, Cody Maricle, a volunteer with the Oxford Fire Department demonstrated courage and bravery in the face of danger while in Pennsylvania.

"On the night of March 17, 2019, 476 Washington Street in Susquehanna, 12:40 a.m. on the outside of the residence, a fire broke out," said Kelly. "That same night Cody Maricle left work as usual, and was going to his girlfriend's house."

He said Maricle noticed something odd as he drove down the street, a glow in the distance.

"At 1:07 a.m. Cody Maricle called 911 after spotting the fire, the fire department arrived at the fire at 1:14 a.m., and saw the back corner of the house was fully involved," said Kelly. "At the time Cody arrived both floors of the house were on fire, and no smoke detectors had activated inside the house."

Maricle banged on the front door, and eventually woke up the family inside the house, he said.

He added when the family awoke, they noted the thick smoke throughout the home, barely able to breath as they made their way out of the house.

"According to our Chief Sean Hennessey, there's no doubt in his mind, Cody saved the lives of the Groover family that night," said Kelly. "The only other possible way they could have survived is by escaping through the second floor window, if the smoke detectors had activated at that time."

He said the fire was too advanced to extricate them in any other way.

"In my 25 years of fire fighting I had never seen a house fire escalate that fast," said Kelly. "The Oxford Fire Department should be very proud to have a member like Cody who embodies the term first responder."

He said regardless of time, place, or situation fire responders jump in to help, which is exactly what Maricle did.

Oxford Fire Chief Ron Martin also spoke about Maricle and the night of the fire, stating that he represented what the standard of excellence that the Oxford Fire Department's mission statement requires.

"Cody, for your unselfish act of bravery, for acting in the true spirit of a fire fighter, and for placing yourself in harms way to rescue the lives of complete strangers, the Oxford Fire Department salutes you," said Martin. "You represented the Oxford Fire Department, its mission statement, and who we are with your actions and compassion on the road."

The Groover family was present at the event, and thanked him for saving their lives, for checking up on them well after the fire had been extinguished, and for continuing to serve as a volunteer to this day.

Pictured: Oxford Fire Department Volunteer Firefighter Cody Maricle (center) with his parents after he received recognition for saving a family from a fire in Pennsylvania. (Zachary Meseck photo)