Coordinated Rescue Saves Life on Courthouse Highway
 
By Senior Man
February 21, 2022
 

On Saturday Feb. 19, 2022 at 1907 hrs. units from Smithfield Vol. Fire, Carrollton Vol. Fire (10), Rushmere Vol. Fire (30), IOW Rescue (60) were dispatched to the 13500 blk. of Courthouse Highway for a structural fire with reported one person trapped. Upon arrival, crews found a working fire in the living room with a confirmed bedridden occupant inside who was unable to escape. Fire crews simultaneously began fire suppression efforts as well as a coordinated rescue effort. Crews removed the occupant through a window on the front side of structure and immediately began life saving measures. The fire was brought under control and extinguished in a short time. The rescued occupant was suffering from burn injuries as well as smoke inhalation and was transported to a local trauma center. During the rescue effort, two firefighters and one IOW deputy sheriff received minor injuries and were also transported to the hospital and later released. The cause of the fire is still undetermined and is currently under investigation by the Virginia State Police.