Firefighter Uses Body as Human Shield to Protect Elderly Woman from Flames
First responders serve their communities every day, willing to lay down their lives — like this firefighter.
In New Bedford, Massachusetts this week, Fire Lt. Steven Torres risked his life by using his body as a human shield to protect an elderly woman from flames.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, ESV).
WJAR reports, “crews rescued three residents as smoke billowed from the third floor of a home on Tremont Street on Monday.”
Fire crew worked with no water support either inside or outside the building. District Fire Chief Scott Gomes told reporters said his crew was prepared but it’s the most dangerous type of rescue they perform.
“‘An elderly female and an elderly gentleman trapped on the third floor,’ came in across the 911 call.”
Justin Ramos and his grandmother awoke to a wall of smoke. “‘I knew that I could make it out safe but she was wheelchair bound so it was tough for me knowing she was so close but so far away,’ Justin told NBC 10 News.”
Justin evacuated the building but his grandmother had no option but to wait to be rescued.
According to the post on the New Bedford Fire Department Facebook page, “The rescue of the elderly female occurred under high heat conditions, as hose lines were being advanced to the third floor.”
“Lt. Steven Torres was able to shield the elderly victim with his protective gear during the rescue. His Globe structural firefighting gear and MSA SCBA continued to function as designed throughout the rescue under extreme fire conditions.”
“‘He was able to shield her with his gear. And he put himself between the fire and her and was able to get her out of that,’ Gomes told NBC 10 News.”
The heat of the fire was so overwhelming it damaged Torres’ protective gear, rated for up to 1100 degrees.
A post from Firematic’s Facebook page shows photos of the damage to Torres’ gear, reporting that the firefighter suffered burns to his neck.
The grandmother was treated at Rhode Island hospital with serious injuries and, according to WBSM, remains in treatment at the trauma center. Lt. Torres is home with his family.
Two other victims, trapped in the building, were rescued during the incident which is thought to have been caused by “smoking materials.”
“Monday’s fire was the second in three days in which New Bedford firefighters conducted ladder rescues, after two people were rescued in a fire on Saturday at a Madeira Avenue home.”
The New Bedford Fire Department especially recognized Lt. Torres’ heroism.
“The NBFD commends Lt. Torres along with all our members who responded to this fire as well as the fire that occurred on Saturday October 1 where two residents were rescued over a ground ladder from a third floor roof.”
