Edmonds police officers credited with saving lives during fire rescue
EDMONDS, Wash. -- Thanks to a heroic effort by several police officers, residents at an Edmonds apartment community are alive and well after their building went up in flames.
Corporal Michael Richardson and four of his fellow Edmonds police officers were reporting to a call at the Ballinger Apartments early Sunday morning when they heard someone yelling for help from across the parking lot.
"And we looked over and could see smoke billowing out," Richardson said..
The officers sprang to action, going door to door to evacuate the residents.
"The first concern is getting everyone out," said officer Ryan Speer. "You don't even have time to think about the danger of the fire itself because there's people inside. They have to get out and I can't just stand there and watch."
Officers said the smoke was overwhelming and felt like hot sand was being poured down their throats.
After kicking down several doors herself, officer Jodi Sackville had to be transported to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Dealing with fire and rescue operations is uncommon in the department, and the officers say their only fire training was in how to operate a fire extinguisher.
Despite their lack of experience, Speer said he's glad the officers were at the scene and able to help save lives.
"It worked out really well because we could have been in different spots of the city, and if we hadn't been on scene right then it could have been an extremely different outcome," he said.
Sackville was released from the hospital and is expected to be back on the job on Tuesday.
Corporal Michael Richardson and four of his fellow Edmonds police officers were reporting to a call at the Ballinger Apartments early Sunday morning when they heard someone yelling for help from across the parking lot.
"And we looked over and could see smoke billowing out," Richardson said..
The officers sprang to action, going door to door to evacuate the residents.
"The first concern is getting everyone out," said officer Ryan Speer. "You don't even have time to think about the danger of the fire itself because there's people inside. They have to get out and I can't just stand there and watch."
Officers said the smoke was overwhelming and felt like hot sand was being poured down their throats.
After kicking down several doors herself, officer Jodi Sackville had to be transported to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Dealing with fire and rescue operations is uncommon in the department, and the officers say their only fire training was in how to operate a fire extinguisher.
Despite their lack of experience, Speer said he's glad the officers were at the scene and able to help save lives.
"It worked out really well because we could have been in different spots of the city, and if we hadn't been on scene right then it could have been an extremely different outcome," he said.
Sackville was released from the hospital and is expected to be back on the job on Tuesday.
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