COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Columbus police are being credited with rescuing a man from his home in the 800 block of Union Street after a neighbor told them it was on fire.
Police were in the area on Saturday on an unrelated investigation when a woman approached Deputy Billy Bryant and Deputy Nicholi Burkholder saying her neighbor’s house was possibly on fire as she had heard the smoke alarms going off for about 20 minutes. She told the deputies she believed people were inside the residence.
The deputies went to the home and found smoke coming from the residence. When they attempted contact, no one answered the door, so they forced entry into the residence where they located a man inside who was confused and not able to exit on his own, deputies said.
Bryant and Burkholder evacuated the male where he was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.
CPD Officer Kyle Hilderbrand arrived with a fire extinguisher and was able to put out a small fire that was in the kitchen, deputies said.
Other responding units evacuated six other residents on the rear side of the structure.
The Columbus Fire Department arrived shortly after and completely extinguished the fire and ventilated the structure due to heavy smoke.
“This is an example of the pinnacle of public service, courageous action that ends up saving someone’s life,” said Sheriff Matt Myers. “I would like to recognize and thank these deputies for their actions and service to the community.”
