London mayor praises first responders who saved man with disability from house fire

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Leaders with the London Police Department and the newly reinstated Mayor Randall Weddle announced the hard work of first responders on Wednesday morning during a house fire that left a resident with a disability trapped inside his burning bedroom.

According to London police, around 8:48 a.m. on Oct. 1, the London-Laurel 911 Communications Center got an urgent call that a man who needed a wheelchair was trapped inside his burning home on East 5th Street.

When first responders arrived, crews with the London Fire Department and local law enforcement saw a residence “heavily filled with smoke,” making it nearly impossible to see, according to London officials.

Authorities said that despite the hazardous smoke, members of the London police and fire crews pushed through and searched for the resident.

“They located the individual in a bedroom that was already consumed by fire, including the bed where he lay,” Officer Hobie Daugherty with the LPD wrote. “Without hesitation, the team lifted the man from the flames and carried him to safety outside, where EMS personnel were waiting.”

The victim was reportedly taken to St. Joseph Hospital in London for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.

In a video posted on social media, Weddle thanked the first responders who went into the house to save the man inside, as well as Ambulance Inc. crews for getting him to the hospital.

“I wanted to share this message with you, because these are the men and women that you have working right here in the city of London,” Weddle said. “We have amazing first responders throughout this community, so if you see any of them out today, tell them you love them, and thank them for all they do.”

The identity of the man rescued from the fire has yet to be released.