WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW AN ENGINE OR TRUCK COMPANY AT A BANK ROBBERY!
Prior to firefighters arriving on scene of a fatal structure fire early Tuesday morning, patrol officers attempted to save the homeowner by entering the burning building, Deputy Police Chief Steve DuBois said Wednesday.
The five patrol officers who deserve credit for attempting to save the homeowner include officers Steve Blanding, Nick Small, Bill Dubois, Todd Goodwin and Duane Jacques.
DuBois said all five officers responded to 214 Union St. immediately upon hearing of the structure fire Tuesday morning.
Small was the first to enter the burning home, but was forced back due to the intense heat, he said.
“The heat actually started to melt his pants so he had to come back out,” DuBois said.
Dubois also entered the building but encountered heavy smoke and had to be pulled out by Small, said DuBois.
Officers Jacques and Blanding assisted by attempting to ventilate the building by breaking windows from the outside, he added.
Goodwin also attempted to kick in the back door, but was unable to because the homeowner was believed to have been resting up against the inside of the door, he said.
DuBois commended all five officers for their efforts in attempting to save the homeowner.
“They’re not firefighters, but because of the cops they are, they are not willing to stand by and wait when they know someone’s life is on the line,” he said. “Going into a burning building while normal people would be running out is very courageous.”
The homeowner was eventually pulled from the burning home by firefighters. She was reportedly still breathing when pulled from the home, but later died at the hospital.
The victim was identified as 63-year-old Martha Laszlo.
