TAMPA, Fla. — Officers rescued an elderly man as his house filled with smoke Saturday afternoon, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Authorities responded to a call at 4 p.m. on March 16 saying that smoke was coming from the home of 81-year-old Wallace Carter located at 3006 E. Chipco St. in Tampa.
It was reported that Carter had burglar bars on the doors and windows of the house and was unable to escape.
Body-camera video shows Officer Travis Wilson, one of the officers who responded to the call, trying to unlock the front door with keys and quickly realizing the situation was dire as smoke continued to fill the house.
Officers broke through the front door with special equipment and found Carter lying on the kitchen floor.
“The swift and decisive actions of these officers are truly commendable," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.
Carter was escorted out of the home safely.
Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and extinguished the fire coming from his stove, officials said.
Carter was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released.
