Orange County police recount dramatic moments they saved bedridden woman from burning home

Westminster Police Department officers recounted the dramatic moments when they rushed into a burning home and pulled a bedridden woman to safety last week.

They were called to a house near Springdale Street and Chinook Avenue at around 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, after learning of the fire, according to an Instagram post from the department. The caller told them that they were "stuck inside their room due to being partially bedridden, and smoke was entering their room."

The video shows Officer Jason Stouffer rushing towards the home, where large flames were seen shooting from the garage and quickly making their way into the residence. 

"By that time, all the windows had already popped. The car was now on fire, and the tires were starting to pop on that as well," he recalled. "It was just too hot to get through that front door."

Stouffer says that his only choice was to break through the bedroom window, where the woman was trapped. He tore open the screen, opened the window and pulled the blinds down.

"That's where I encountered the elderly female ... standing there complaining that she couldn't breathe, couldn't get out of the home," he said. "Luckily, her bedroom door was closed, containing most of the smoke."

At the same time, Stouffer's partner, Officer Bao Toan Vu, was already pulling up outside the house. He said that he immediately observed the garage was on fire and flames were beginning to move towards the front door. 

"I didn't know where my partner is inside the house at the this time," he said. He began to run around the perimeter of the property when he heard Stouffer calling out from the bedroom window.

He rushed to help his partner, pulling the woman through the window before running across the street to carry her to safety. 

"Every second is precious; it's a life or death matter," Vu said. "Luckily, my partner gave me the heads up."

Orange County Fire Authority crews, who arrived at the home shortly after the police, were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to surrounding homes. They say that another resident was rescued from inside the home, as well as a cat and a dog. 

The female victim was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, police said. 

"I spoke with her this morning. She's doing well," Stouffer said. Luckily we got there on time."

Neither of the officers were injured in the incident. Now, being hailed as heroes, they say it's all a part of their commitment to the community. 

"I don't do it for the recognition," Vu said.