State Trooper John Hagerty Saves Man From Burning Home For Veterans In Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO (CBS) – A Massachusetts State Trooper saved a man from a burning home for veterans in Middleboro early Tuesday morning.

Trooper John Hagerty was the first person on the scene when flames broke out at the house on West Grove Street around 1 a.m., according to Middleboro Fire Chief Lance Benjamino.

The trooper saw about ten people coming out of one side of the home. They told him there was a person trapped on the third floor on the other side.

"He threw a ground ladder that happened to be there and assisted the man out the window. The man was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with serious burns to his body," Benjamino said, later adding that the 33-year-old man is in intensive care. "He still has a long way to go."

The chief said the trooper "clearly made a difference between life and death" with his actions. Hagerty was taken to Morton Hospital as a precaution for an evaluation of smoke inhalation and released.

Two other people in the home ended up with minor burns but did not need to go to the hospital. One was a woman who burned her hands and face trying put out the fire.

A total of 13 people live in the house and many of them are veterans. The home is a total loss and everyone who lives there has moved to a hotel for now.

"I feel bad for the veterans because they fight the wars and then something like this happens to them," said Middleboro resident Bill Davenport, who stopped at the scene to see if there was anything he could do to help, like donate clothes.

Benjamino said it appears the fire was accidental and started in a front room on the second floor. The State Fire Marshal said it started with an unattended candle. It came two days after a candle fire in Kingston killed a woman.

"We're proud of Tpr Hagerty and grateful to all who responded and assisted," State Police tweeted.