Wilmington Police Officer Injured In Attempt To Save Child From Burning Building
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS)--A Wilmington police officer was treated at Wilmington Hospital tonight for smoke inhalation after entering a burning building to save a missing child.
Corporal Steven Cancila and Officer Steven Bender were on patrol when shortly after 6:00 p.m. they observed a building on N. Spruce Street engulfed in flames.
Witnesses told the officers that an 11-year-old child was trapped on the second floor of the building.
The officers quickly entered the burning building to search for the child.
When they reached the second floor of the building, the officers encountered heavy smoke conditions, forcing them to crawl on the floor so they could breathe and attempt to continue their search for the child.
While the officers were searching inside the burning residence the child was located outside, having exited the building when the fire began.
The officers exited the building right as the Wilmington Fire Department arrived.
Officer Bender was transported to Wilmington Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
He is expected to be released shortly.
