Heroes: Englewood Police Officer, Firefighter Rescue Trapped Residents In Overnight Blaze

Englewood Police Officer John McConnell heard cries for help from inside a house that was being ravaged by flames before dawn Sunday.

Englewood Firefighter Brian Comitto (left), Englewood Police Officer John McConnell (right)
Photo Credit: *ENGLEWOOD FD / ENGLEWOOD PD*

Jerry DeMarco

08/22/2021 12:31 p.m.

Unable to open the door of the Green Street home, McConnell improvised. He grabbed a cinderblock and smashed his way in, then battled thick smoke to get two trapped victims to safety.

As he did that, city Firefighter Brian Comitto grabbed a portable ladder and rescued a third victim who was at second-floor window.

McConnell and all three residents were taken to area hospitals with various injuries in the 3:30 a.m. blaze, Fire Chief Erik Enersen said.

Their injuries weren't considered life-threatening, responders said.

The two-alarm fire was brought under control in barely more than 15 minutes, Enersen said.

An investigation was determining the cause, he added.

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