Quick Thinking By Bensalem Police Officers Saves Man From Apartment Fire
BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Three officers with the Bensalem Township Police Department are getting praise for their quick thinking that saved a man's life last month.
In a Facebook Live, Officers Steven Ambs, Samuel Ladd, and Kenneth Branford talked with Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub about their heroic moments on Aug. 25.
Three Bensalem Police Officers rescue man from smoke-filled apartmentDistrict Attorney Matt Weintraub recently spoke to three heroes from the Bensalem Township Police Department. On Aug. 25, Bensalem Police officers Steve Ambs, Kenneth Branford and Samuel Ladd responded to a building fire at the Bucks Meadows Apartments in the 3100 block of Knights Road. They arrived and immediately saw smoke coming from Building 5 and began helping to evacuate people from the surrounding buildings. The three officers then went into Building 5, which was dark and filling with smoke. Using their flashlights, they spotted a man laying unconscious in the doorway of a second-floor apartment. Unable to breath through the thickening smoke, the three young officers were able to climb up the stairs and carry the man to safety. The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but has since improved and remains in stable condition. Calling them some of Bucks County's finest, District Attorney Weintraub thanked the three officers for their service to the community. "We are all very blessed to have each of you protecting us as we go about our lives."
Posted by Bucks County District Attorney's Office on Monday, September 13, 2021
The fire was at Bucks Meadows Apartments on Knights Road. The men focused on building 5, where the fire had started, as other officers evacuated residents from surrounding buildings.
"When I ran up the steps, it was pitch black. We were able to shine a flashlight, and I saw the victim laying in the doorway, unconscious," Officer Ambs said.
Officer Ladd explained that because of the smoke, the officers had to run outside first to get clean air before taking care of the victim.
"We said, 'Alright, we got to go back in,' and we went right back in," he said.
He, Ambs, and Branford carried the man to safety, an act caught on body camera footage. The video shows the men resting the resident on the ground outside the apartment.
According to Officer Branford, getting the victim outside brought a wave of emotions.
"I felt obviously relieved that we got him out," he said. "I was a little bit worried about his condition and whether there was anybody else in the apartment."
The victim is still hospitalized but is making improvements, the district attorney's office says.
District Attorney Weintraub told the men their selfless act makes them true pillars of the community.
"We are all very blessed to have each of you protecting us as we go about our lives," he said.