Five Windsor police officers are being applauded for their quick actions and bravery while saving eight people from a burning house.
Officers were investigating a motor vehicle incident in the 400 block of Wyandotte Street West around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday when they noticed heavy smoke in the sky north of their location.
They went to the area to investigate.
Officers saw a two-story house at 579 Church Street on fire. As they approached, a man exited the front door telling officers that "lots" of people were still inside.
Police later learned that the address is a rooming house. They could see that the upper level of the residence was fully engulfed, with flames pouring from the windows on the southeast corner.
Five officers entered the residence. They say smoke was filling the lower level and burning embers were falling from the ceiling through the thick black smoke.
Officers began kicking in locked doors on the main level. They found numerous persons who had no idea that there was a fire in the residence. Police kicked in four doors and removed eight people to safety outside.
"I am extremely proud of the quick actions and bravery displayed by our patrol officers,” says Frederick. “Despite imminent risk, these officers rushed into a burning building and saved several members of our community."
Once police were satisfied all persons were removed from the main level, they exited the home. Police say because of the intensity of the fire, they could not go upstairs.
Windsor firefighters attended the scene and extinguished the fire.
No victims were discovered inside the residence.
A 42-year-old man was arrested for arson.
The Windsor Police Arson Unit is continuing the investigation today.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4330, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), online at www.catchcrooks.com, or Submit a Tip on Facebook.
