Off-Duty Firefighter Saves Boy From Burning Home Without Any Gear
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - An off-duty Platte Canyon firefighter is being hailed a hero for rushing into a burning home to save a child. The home on fire was in the Woodside Subdivision near Conifer.
The Platte Canyon Fire Protection District says firefighter Kyle Chavez saw the house fire burning near his home and call 911. He rushed up to the house to knock on doors and windows. One person ran out on their own.
"The house was burning. It was burning pretty good," Chavez told CBS4's Jamie Leary.
Chavez then heard a child screaming inside and ran in to save them without wearing any protective gear. Chavez found a 4- or 5-year-old boy and carried him out to safety.
"It was just heavy smoke and just was listening very carefully to the voices, find the voice and get him out of there," he said. "When there's chaos try to stay as calm as possible and think clearly."
Officials say this is the first time a rescue like this has ended with "such a positive and favorable outcome."
Friends of the Cantrell family say the home is destroyed, and the family has next to nothing. They've set up a GoFundMe page to help the family bounce back.