WEBER COUNTY, Utah -- A Roy City police officer is being called a hero after he ran into a burning home to save a man trapped inside.
The fire started around 6:30 p.m. Saturday night in the area of 2025 West 4000 South.
Officer Kyle Christensen was the first to arrive at the massive house fire, and when he learned a man was still inside the home he said he did what any officer would have done
“I think it’s more reactive at that point and time,” Christensen said of his decision to enter the home.
Fresh out of the hospital Sunday after being treated for smoke inhalation, he said his actions Saturday night were just part of his job.
“I don’t think anybody else would have done anything differently, I just happened to be closer,” he said.
When he arrived, the officer said he could see large clouds of black smoke and hear what sounded like ammunition exploding inside the home. The home-owner told the officer her son was still in the basement of the house, so the officer went in to find him.
“At the bottom of the stairs, smoke and flames, and that’s actually what enabled me to be able to see him,” Christensen said.
Chief Jasen Poulsen of the Roy City Fire Department said there’s no question Christensen saved the victim’s life by risking his own
“It was so thick and hot and black,” Poulsen said. “They backed out, and as soon as they backed out everything went into a ball of fire. So we are extremely lucky we don’t have a member of our community that’s passed away, a hurt officer, or three hurt firemen. So we feel very fortunate.”
The victim was flown to the burn unit in Salt Lake City and has second and third degree burns. The house is a total loss, and it’s believed the fire was human caused but accidental
