Members of the Taylor Fire Department whose quick actions saved the lives of two apartment dwellers stranded in a house fire earlier this month recently received personal expressions of thanks from elected leaders and a standing ovation for their heroism.
At the regular meeting June 22, city leaders shook the hands of some of the firefighters who helped with a dramatic rescue of two individuals trapped on a second-floor balcony at the Burnett Place Apartments June 5.
“This is one final very special recognition of our very deserving folks,” said Mayor Brandt Rydell at the meeting. “I would like to invite the council to join me in front of the dais to congratulate them.”
Earlier in the meeting, Chief Daniel Baum described the dramatic apartment fire, which began in the kitchen, yet resulted in no serious injuries and minimal property damage, despite the complex having no sprinkler system due to it not being required when it was built.
“Lt. Eric Engelke was the first one on scene,” said Chief Daniel Baum said at the meeting. “He is our fire inspector, and he was just minutes away. When he got there, he reported that there were two women on a second-floor balcony with heavy smoke and flame pushing out from a door behind them, so they were in a perilous situation.”
Minutes later, after Engine Crew 2 arrived on the scene, Firefighter John Cufr, climbed up onto the balcony and rescued the two residents by escorting them back down the ladder to safety, Baum said.
Other Taylor FD members played key roles as well, Baum said.
“Lt. Wes Russell by himself brought a hose line up to the second floor sprayed water on the fire to basically cover their rear to stop the fire from spreading while they made their rescue,” Baum said. “And then, when the rest of the crews arrived, we were able to confine the fire to that one apartment with minimal loss to the rest of the building so in an apartment fire. That is one heck of a save to keep the fire confined to one unit, especially when there is no fire suppression available.’
“I just wanted to recognize their training, dedication, teamwork and courage,” Baum said. “I just want to recognize them and the service that they provide for the City of Taylor.”
“That is one heck of a save to keep the fire confined to one unit, especially when there is no fire suppression available.”
- Taylor Fire Chief Daniel Baum
