In a heartwarming display of bravery and quick thinking, three young boys played a pivotal role in rescuing a man trapped in a smoke-filled garage in Swansea, Illinois.
On Monday, Swansea police released a dramatic video that shows officers breaking down a garage door to save the life of a man who had been overcome by smoke from a fire.
Here’s the remarkable story of how quick actions and community cooperation led to a successful rescue.
The Dramatic Rescue
It all began when Swansea police officers responded to a call about a fire at a residential garage. Officer Justin Schutzbach was the first to arrive on the scene and immediately heard a faint voice coming from inside the smoke-filled garage.
Despite the thick smoke and the danger posed by the fire, Schutzbach and his team took immediate action.
According to Chief Matt Blomberg, the officers quickly realized that there was no other way to access the garage. They decided to force entry by breaking down the garage door.
Officers Schutzbach, Matt Lindley, and Sgt. Breanna Kemper-Damm worked together to force the door open. Blomberg said that the officers used their shoulders and hips to push through the door, and Sgt. Kemper-Damm helped the man out once the door was opened.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Location | Swansea, Illinois, residential garage |
| Time of Incident | Monday afternoon, exact time not disclosed |
| Police Response | Officers Schutzbach, Lindley, and Kemper-Damm responded to the scene |
| Fire Cause | Garage fire, smoke filled the area |
| Victim’s Condition | The man suffered from smoke inhalation and was transported to the hospital |
| Heroic Actions | Three boys alerted a neighbor and called 911 |
| Man’s Condition After Rescue | He is expected to recover from smoke inhalation |
The Role of the Three Boys
While the officers were working to break down the garage door, three young boys—Roman, Xavier, and Darius—were playing in their yard when they noticed the smoke coming from the garage.
Acting quickly, they ran to a neighbor’s house and asked them to call 911. Their swift action helped ensure that emergency services were alerted without delay.
Nicole Goodman, the boys’ mother, expressed her pride in their actions. “I’m proud of them that they knew to look out for their neighbors and that was exciting,” she said.
The boys were later recognized by Chief Matt Blomberg for their heroic thinking and responsibility in such an urgent situation.
Community Recognition and Support
Following the rescue, Chief Blomberg expressed his pride not only in his officers but also in the young boys’ quick and heroic actions.
“I spoke to their school today; they were very proud as well. (They) said they are great kids; they’re very respectful, very responsible, so all in all, it was just a great outcome for us,” Blomberg said.
The man who was rescued was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, but he is expected to recover. Thanks to the collective efforts of the police officers and the quick thinking of the three boys, this potentially tragic situation ended in a positive outcome.
This incredible story in Swansea, Illinois highlights the power of community cooperation and quick thinking. While the police officers’ bravery and quick actions played a key role in the rescue, the young boys’ decision to alert a neighbor and call 911 made all the difference.
It’s a reminder that heroes come in all ages, and in this case, it was three young boys who helped save a life. Their actions, along with the police’s timely response, turned a potentially tragic incident into a story of hope and heroism.