Babylon inspector gets town's highest honor

Babylon Town has recognized a town worker with a heroism award, the town’s highest honor.

Eddie Pitre, a senior building inspector who has worked for the town for nine years, was leaving a Copiague house after an inspection on March 13 when he noticed a plume of smoke coming from the roof of a home on a neighboring street.

Pitre, 44, of Medford, said he called the town fire marshal and then drove over to the house where he told the family — three adults and a baby — that they had to leave the home. Pitre said 911 was called and as they waited, he shut down the electricity in the home. A fire had broken out in the boiler room, he said, and soon flames engulfed the second floor of the home. Nobody was injured, he said.

The town recognized Pitre’s efforts with its heroism award, which expresses “gratitude for valiant and courageous actions rendered.” The town gave the award to a surprised Pitre before a board meeting last week, at a celebration that included Pitre’s family.

It was the first time the town has given out the award since 2008.