Man, 25, dies trying to save grandfather

DAVID CITY When a basement needed remodeling, some wallboard hung or a new video game conquered, Anthony Palensky was there to help.

If anybody needed anything didnt matter who it was he helped out, William Palensky of Lincoln said of his youngest brother.

Anthony died Thursday while trying to rescue their grandfather, Leonard T. Palensky Sr., from a burning house, William said.

The David City house Anthony shared with his 87-year-old grandfather caught fire just after 2 a.m. Thursday, and the 25-year-old couldnt abandon the older man, family members said.

Anthony was being Anthony, being a hero, said Rachel Johnson of David City, another of Anthonys eight siblings. He wasnt going to leave his grandpa in there.

Firefighters pulled the men from the burning house and took them to the Butler County Health Care Center, where they were pronounced dead of asphyxiation from smoke inhalation, Butler County Attorney Julie L. Reiter said.

Neighbors said someone passing by on the way to Lenten services at St. Marys Catholic Church reported the fire.

Investigators with the state Fire Marshals Office determined the fire started near a brick chimney. The cause remains under investigation.

The family is no stranger to tragedy.

Thursdays deaths came almost five years after a single-vehicle crash near Dwight killed Anthonys 18-year-old sister, Renee Palensky of Linwood.

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Man, 25, dies trying to save grandfather