IL Deputies, Citizens Use Blanket to Catch Child Dropped from Burning Building

A family of four was trapped on the third floor and deputies tried to make entry but the hallway was ablaze.

by Staff

June 23, 2023

IL Deputies, Citizens Use Blanket to Catch Child Dropped from Burning Building

Credit:

Peoria County SO

1 min to read

The Peoria County (IL) Sheriff’s Office has released video that shows deputies and citizens using a blanket to catch a child dropped from the third floor of a burning apartment building in West Peoria. The incident happened June 20 at about 10:25 p.m.

Deputies responded to the fire and saw the apartment building had flames coming from the roof.

A family of four was trapped on the third floor and deputies tried to make entry but the hallway was ablaze.

Deputies and citizens used a blanket to catch the family’s five-year-old child who the family members dropped out of a window to safety below.

West Peoria Fire and other local fire agencies responded and saved the other members of the family.

"This is such a great example of our first responders working with citizens in our community to save lives. As you can see and hear in the body-worn camera footage, this was a very intense situation. I am proud of everyone involved and thoughts and prayers for the families affected by this fire," Sheriff Watkins said on Facebook.

Topics:Civilians Helping Officers Rescue from Fire Illinois agencies Patrol

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