Residents Rescued From Porch Of Burning Brockton Home
BROCKTON (CBS) – Firefighters had to rescue residents who were trapped on a third floor porch when their Brockton home went up in flames.
Heavy fire broke out around 5 a.m. Friday on Kenwood Street.
"About 5:30 this morning I woke up to women screaming 'Help me, help me,'" one witness said.
Bystander video shows firefighters rescuing several people using a ladder.
Fire Chief Michael Williams said four people, an elderly couple in their 90s and their two daughters, were rescued from the porch.
"I'm thinking, 'Oh my goodness. Please don't let them panic or make a wrong step or something,'" said witness Vallerie Johnson.
All four people were taken to area hospitals as a precaution. They do not have serious injuries, Williams said.
"A human's body weight is more than people realize, and trying to carry that down over a ladder is extremely difficult," Williams said of the rescue efforts.
Solar panels on the roof of the home slowed down efforts to knock down the flames, firefighters said.
Firefighters rescued a cat and could be seen giving the pet oxygen. Another cat did not survive.
"I saw (firefighters) inside a blazing fire pulling people out, coming down off the ladders, it was just horrible, it was really horrible," said witness Dennis Hursey.
While firefighters knocked down the flames, Brockton Police arrested a building resident, Nilton Rodrigues, on a warrant. Police say an unregistered firearm was found inside.
Williams praised his firefighters for their work rescuing the trapped residents. He said ladder rescues can be challenging.
"It's a job well done. I'm very proud of my men and women." said Williams. "They always do an awesome job. So I'm not surprised. But it should be noticed that they made two great rescues."
Witnesses who saw the rescue also praised firefighters for getting everyone to safety.
"They risked their lives today, they really did," Hursey said.