Henderson police officers praised for efforts in overnight fire

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — An overnight fire on Millcreek Drive leaves one person dead and two others injured. Four Henderson police officers are being praised for their bravery in their response efforts.

What was initially reported as a possible distress call turned into a home fire where four HPD officers including Officers Austin Hatchett and Zachary Wareyko sprang into action to save a woman trapped inside the home.

The officers were the first to arrive on scene and upon learning it was a house fire with three people trapped inside, they began to break windows in an effort to get them out.

“The officer [Wareyko] still knew there was a lady in there and needed help,” Police Chief Billy Bolin said. “He still went into that knowing that he was putting his own life at danger and at risk. Watching it was pretty heroic. And I was pretty proud that they did what they did.”

“I don’t know if there’s ever really preparing for it,” Officer Hatchett said. “Certain people like Wareyko here who is willing to not think about himself and only think about the lady in that room and was willing to go in there and get her so she can at least be saved.”

Officer Wareyko braved the smoke pouring from the home to find a woman trapped inside. He says once his instincts kicked in, he quickly moved in.

“I crawled through the window and basically grabbed her and pulled her,” Officer Wareyko said. “I think Hatchett was right in front of the window and we kind of just got her out as fast as we could.”

The officers were able to save one person and assist another out of the home. Both were taken to the hospital. But that was not the case for the third person who was found dead inside the home.

“I kind of feel more for her than myself because I don’t know what that’s like,” Officer Wareyko said. “So just hoping that she’s okay is the biggest thing.”

The identify of the victim has not yet been released and the fire is still under investigation.