ELDERLY MAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER HE IS PULLED BY TWO POLICE OFFICERS FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT DESTROYED A HOME IN FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS
February 7,
2015
FITCHBURG,
MASSACHUSETTS: (CBS) –
Two police
officers rushed into a burning Fitchburg home Saturday morning to rescue an
elderly man who was trapped by significant fire.
With flames
shooting from a single-family home on 79 Holman St. at around 10 a.m., two
veteran police officers patrolling the area heard an unidentified man believed
to be in his 80s screaming for help.
The man’s
wife escaped the fire, but her husband became trapped.
After
arriving at the home, the two officers reached the man and pulled him out a
window.
Both
officers were taken to Leominster Health-Alliance, where they were treated for
smoke inhalation and released.
The elderly
man was transported to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. He is in critical
condition.
Firefighters
suspect the flames started due to an electrical issue and said it is not
considered suspicious, though the investigation is ongoing.
“I am very
proud of the lifesaving work these two officers did today, and hoping the
victim can recover fully,” said Police Chief Ernest Martineau, who did not
identify the officers but said they both also have military backgrounds.
In a post
on its Facebook page, the Fitchburg Fire Department praised the quick acting
officers.
“The
Fitchburg Fire Department would like to recognize Fitchburg Police officers
Todd Deacon and Michael Sevigny. Their
quick thinking and swift actions lead to a great save this morning from the
fire at 78 Holman Street. The City of
Fitchburg is lucky to have people like these two officers serving and
protecting its citizens.”