Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies rescued a man from a burning home after a reported fire in the 7800 E. County Road 475S.
Deputies Andrew Dougan and Robert Cooper were sent to the fire at 3:54 a.m. Tuesday, and while enroute learned that two residents were possibly still inside the home, deputies said.
They arrived first at the scene and observed a large amount of smoke coming from the front door.
Janet Pardieck, who lives at the home, was outside but said her husband was still inside the residence, deputies said. The two deputies entered the burning house, crawling through the living room, but were unable to get to the back of the residence due to flames and heavy smoke.
They then went to the rear of the home and went back inside through the garage, deputies said.
The husband, Walter Pardieck, was yelling to them and although they were unable to see him, they asked him to keep yelling so they could locate him through the heavy smoke.
The two deputies eventually reached Pardieck and helped him leave the burning house, deputies said.
The Pardiecks suffered smoke inhalation, but refused further treatment.
Elizabethtown Fire Department extinguished the fire, deputies said.
“BCSO deputies often work under stressful, high-risk conditions,” said Sheriff Matt Myers. “Deputy Dougan and Deputy Cooper displayed the highest standards of excellence in public safety. I fee great knowing that these individuals are working for our agency and citizens should know how fortunate Bartholomew County is to have people like this serving and protecting them,” Myers said.
