Police Officers Christopher Scott (left) and Michael Welsh from the 12th Precinct
Posted on 10/29/2007 3:12:38 AM PDT by Stoat
Monday, October 29th 2007, 4:00 AM
Police Officers Christopher Scott (left) and Michael Welsh from the 12th Precinct
Officers Michael Welsh and Christopher Scott kicked down doors and screamed to wake people as the blaze devoured 374 Bronx Park Ave. in West Farms.
After they emerged from the inferno, they busted into the neighboring house, which was already spewing plumes of black smoke into the air.
The cops suffered minor injuries, but no one else was hurt because of their heroic efforts while on patrol about 9:15 a.m., officials said.
"I looked at the building, and the fire was bad," said Welsh, 41.
"It was fully engulfed in flames," he said. "It was full of smoke. We just knew we had to get everyone out safely."
After breaking down doors and scouring the three-story house, the officers, both with 14 years on the job, calmly escorted seven people, including a 2-month-old, to safety.
It took less than three minutes to clear the home, the officers said. But while Scott, 37, was dashing out of the inferno, some burning material fell on him and burned his scalp.
That didn't stop him from rushing into the adjacent house, where the fast-moving fire was well on its way to destroying a second building.
"It's the last thing you expect on a Sunday morning," said Judy Ramdeen, 33, the owner of the home. "The flames were bad. I've never seen things catch on fire so quickly. The smoke was heavy, and flames were shooting everywhere."
All Ramdeen was able to grab were family pictures before she and four other people, including her 11-month-old daughter and an elderly woman, were helped to the street by the cops.
"We worked really hard for this home, and now it's gone," she said. "But I could have lost my family. Worse things could have happened."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the FDNY.
In addition to Scott's scalp injury, both officers suffered smoke inhalation. They were treated at St. Barnabas Hospital and released later in the day.
At the 48th Precinct stationhouse where the cops work, they modestly chalked up their bravery to just doing their jobs.
"We weren't thinking about anything," Welsh said. "We just wanted to help people get out. I'm just happy everyone got out safely."
Residents of the two buildings weren't so quick to brush off the cops' actions.
"It was very heroic of the officers," Ramdeen said. "The cops ran in, and they saved lives. They didn't have to run in, and I thank them for doing it."
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New York Heroes ping :-)
Good for them. ;-)
I don’t think they can be sued personally. I think our first responders are protected from those types of incidents.
Patience, my friend. Give them time and the bloodsuckers will come up with something. These heroes are police and therefore the employees of a deep pocket party. The lure of a big cash payout from a stupid jury is too great.
I understand what your saying; but I think there is some type of system in place to keep them from being sued. Emphasis on ‘think’.
How about smashing down doors? Sounds like ‘forced entry’.sarc/
God bless ‘em! I love hero stories!
It’s good to read something good for a change.
Thanks for the ping.
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You're quite welcome and I'm delighted that you've found the article to be worthwhile :-)
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