Tampa police were commended for their swift and clever rescue when a fire broke out in a Florida residence.
Body camera footage shared by the Tampa Police Department on social media shows a Tampa police officer yelling, “I’m coming, I’m coming,” as he snatched gear from his vehicle and dashed through the darkness toward the scene of a residential fire.
“Is anyone inside?” he said as he approached the home shortly after 9 p.m. on August 9.
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In response, a woman shouted, “My brother is in there, he’s right there in the living room.”
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The front of the structure emitted thick, black clouds of smoke into the night sky.
“Can you come to me?” An officer could be heard asking the individual trapped inside.
Officers then began to move towards him.
The man was brought to the front door by an officer who crawled through the fog and grabbed him by the ankles. When he got outside, first responders helped him get to his feet, and he was able to walk away by himself.
Thankfully, all of them made it.
According to a statement issued by the Tampa Police Department on August 11, a significant portion of the residence was in flames.
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“Everyone was treated for smoke inhalation and is now okay. Tampa Fire Rescue extinguished the fire, which was determined to be accidental,” the department wrote on social media. “We are grateful for the dedication and teamwork of all first responders on scene.”
“I am incredibly proud of our officers who, without hesitation, ran toward danger and into a burning home to save a life,” added Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw in a statement obtained by People. “We are all grateful that no one was seriously injured and that this incident had a successful outcome thanks to these brave Tampa Police Officers.”
Social media also reacted to the video, and netizens praised their heroic actions.
One commented, “I think these boys deserve a good firehouse dinner, and they get a pass for hosedragger jokes for 1 day.”
Another said, “Good job! You guys saved a life! Seeing the Officer run through that fence is the perfect example of selfless service.”
Another suggested, “Law Enforcement should have a 10 min oxygen tank and a mask in their car, they always get to the fire before firefighters.”
