Body camera video shows Evesham police officer's heroic actions as he saves couple from house fire
EVESHAM, N.J. (CBS) — An Evesham police officer was commended for his bravery as a house fire hero after he rescued a couple from a blaze on June 16.
Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller detailed the events leading up to the rescue in a news release where he applauded the swift work of Officer Kevin Long, Evesham Fire-Rescue Quint 2235 and other emergency responders.
Long was the first person to arrive at the fire on the 1800 block of Sagemore Drive after the department received an emergency call at around 4 p.m.
The department released Long's body camera footage showing the severity of the fire and the panic he and the residents faced as deep clouds of smog engulfed the home.
"I've got smoky conditions, smoky conditions," Long can be heard saying while running up to the home, which had five adjoining apartment units attached.
"I can't get my husband out," a woman inside the home yells as Long ushers her outside to safety.
Long yells for the husband, trying to find him inside the smoke-filled room.
"He's entrapped, I can't get in there. The smoke is too bad," Long said.
Nevertheless, the officer pushed through the home and used a flashlight to help find the husband stuck in his chair.
"[I'm] right here, right here, I can't walk," the husband said.
Long clears the hallway, leading to the door and drags the husband's wheelchair outside before running back in and dragging him to safety outside the house.
According to Miller, Long suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital but has since been released.
The rescued couple were also taken to the hospital and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Miller said.
Evesham Fire-Rescue Quint 2235 arrived shortly after Long and contained the kitchen fire, preventing further damage to the five other connected apartments.
Families were free to get back into their apartments that same day.
During a Monday news conference, Long described the difficult conditions he faced in the smoky apartment.
"I couldn't see anything in front of me," Long said. "I'm basically touching the walls, seeing where everything's at."
Deputy Fire Chief Scott Freedman praised Long's quick response.
"He saved the guy's life," Freedman said. "That man is very lucky that Kevin [Long] was there and was able to make the right decisions."
Long said he was thankful he was able to get the couple out of the fire.
"It was extremely comforting knowing that I got those guys out of that fire," he said. "That would've probably lasted the rest of my career if I didn't get those guys out, and I would've replayed that in my mind every day."
