Wilmington officers rescue woman from burning apartment; victim seriously injured

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Three people were taken to the hospital, including a police officer, Monday evening following a fire in Wilmington. One of those victims was left with serious injuries and was taken to the burn center at UNC.

Around 8:20 p.m. Monday, Wilmington police responded to 1011 S. Lincoln Ct. in reference to an apartment fire.

When police arrived, Officers Kyle Petrone and Bradley Speight made several attempts to break down the steel door. They also broke several windows out with batons and lawn furniture in an attempt to let smoke out of the apartment so they could locate anyone who may have been trapped inside.

Ofc. Petrone reached through a window to unlock the door but it was too hot to touch. They continued to kick the door in until it buckled and they could open it, at which time Ofc. Petrone, Ofc. Speight and a NHSO deputy walked approximately five feet into the apartment — through heavy smoke and heat — and found an unresponsive 39-year-old woman on the floor with severe burns. They pulled her out of the apartment just as EMS was arriving.

The victim was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and prepped for transport to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center, where she’s currently being treated. She was in serious condition as of Monday night.

The citizen who assisted officers was transported with minor injuries, and Ofc. Petrone was transported and treated for smoke inhalation due to entering the apartment without a breathing apparatus or other equipment.

“This is another example of our officers going above and beyond the line of duty,” Chief Donny Williams said. “The easy thing to do would have been to stand back and wait for the fire department to arrive, but these men put their own safety at risk to save someone else’s life, and they didn’t hesitate for a second. They didn’t stop to think about that person’s race, gender, economic status — it didn’t matter. They took action, and I’ve seen that happen several times over the last few months.”

The origin of the fire is still under investigation by the Wilmington Fire Department.