ICYMI: Heroic Cop Rips Metal Door from Frame to Rescue Arizona Man Trapped in Fire!
A Casa Grande officer’s quick thinking and raw strength saved a life when he tore through a padlocked door to rescue a man trapped in a raging fire. 🌐 #News #CasaGrandeAZ #Arizona #Rescue
CASA GRANDE, AZ – A dramatic rescue unfolded early Friday morning in Casa Grande, Arizona, as a police officer single-handedly freed a man trapped inside a burning home. The incident occurred on December 13, at around 4:55 a.m. on East Ash Avenue.
Officer Joshua Samuel, the first to arrive at the scene, heard cries for help from the rear of the house, where the man was trapped. With flames already spreading through the residence, Samuel acted quickly, determined to save the victim.
Breaking Through the Locked Door
As Officer Samuel reached the back of the house, he found the door blocked by a locked metal security grate. Smoke poured out of the residence as he tried to break the lock, his body-worn camera capturing his efforts. Despite repeated attempts to kick down the door, the lock remained unbroken.
Samuel worked diligently to free the victim, reassuring him, “You’re going to be OK, sir, you’re going to be OK,” despite the intense smoke. When the lock wouldn’t yield, the officer used his strength to rip the entire metal door from its frame, finally allowing him to reach the victim and pull him to safety.
Firefighters Contain Blaze, Prevent Further Damage
The Casa Grande Fire Department soon arrived with a large team of firefighters, including additional crews from the Eloy Fire District. The department launched an aggressive exterior attack, successfully containing the blaze within 45 minutes.
Fire Chief Dave Kean praised the efforts of the fire crews, noting that the fire was confined to the house of origin. “Both neighboring homes were spared significant damage. The house to the east had minor exterior damage, and the house to the west also sustained minimal damage,” Kean said.
While the home was ultimately destroyed, the rapid response of the fire department ensured that no nearby properties suffered serious harm.
Investigation Points to Cause of Fire
An investigation by the fire department indicated that the likely cause of the fire was an “unattended candle” left in the living room. Preliminary interviews with investigators pointed to this as the origin of the blaze.
In the aftermath of the rescue, Officer Samuel was transported to Banner Casa Grande Hospital for treatment. He suffered from smoke inhalation, along with lacerations to both hands and burn blisters on one hand. Another officer was also treated for smoke inhalation.
The swift actions of Officer Samuel, combined with the efforts of the fire department, ultimately saved a life and prevented a worse disaster.
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents | Arizona
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