PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Body camera footage shows the moment Plymouth Township police officers entered a burning home to rescue an elderly couple trapped inside.
Plymouth Township Police Chief James Knittel said the 911 call came in around 1 a.m. Wednesday. A couple in their seventies are trapped in their burning house and struggle to get out.
“Our police officers were the first on the scene. Our firefighters were busy with another incident at the time, so they were unable to arrive on scene immediately. The people inside, because there were a lot of obstacles in the house, were having a hard time. It’s time to get to the door,” Knittel said.
He said at this point in the investigation it appears the fire started in the basement near the furnace.
Officers battled strong smoke to pull the man from the home before rescuing his wife. Both were removed from the smoke-filled home within five minutes of the call. Knittel said the officers are heroes.
“As the police chief living here in Plymouth Township, I couldn’t be more proud of these officers. They have done a phenomenal job. Our citizens should be very proud of them,” he said.
The couple was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
