Tampa Police Save Elderly Man From Smoke-Filled House
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw has lauded several officers who rescued an 81-year-old man as smoke filled his home on Saturday afternoon, March 16.
This bodycam footage shows officers entering the home on Chipco Street through the front door, finding 81-year-old Wallace Carter lying incapacitated on the kitchen floor, and carrying him out to safety, according to police.
“Following the safe evacuation, Tampa Fire Rescue arrived at the scene and successfully extinguished the fire, which originated on the stove,” police said. “Mr Carter was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and later released.”
In a statement, Chief Bercaw said the officers’ “swift and decisive actions” were “truly commendable.” Credit: Tampa PD via Storyful
Video Transcript
[SIRENS]
- Which one is it?
- What I told you, man? What they're doing. They're in the house on the phone.
- 01, we're on 97.
- Half an hour safe. I don't know what--
- On force. It's 3006. Chip, go.
- Hey--
- How's it open? A halligan?
- I have a Halligan.
- 01, 3006--
- Watch out. Yeah, it's full of smoke. Fuck it. Give me that. Here we go. Yeah, OK.
- Good.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
- Yeah.
- It's the police.
- Right here.
- Come here.
- Right here. Right here.
- One down.
- --from 21st. Just for f--
- You're good. You're good.
- Is there anyone else in there?
- In there anybody else in your house?
- No.
- Anyone else?
- No pets?
- No.
- Good job, guys.
- You're good.
- All to one, we got one out fires on scene.
- Turn the stove-- The stove is on.
- OK. We got you, buddy. Good job.
- Yeah. OK.
- You're OK, buddy. Are you OK, comfortable here?
- We got this.
- All right.
