Columbia Police Corporal Allen Ervin was first to arrive at the scene. As soon as the 12-year veteran got out of his cruiser, his body cam recorded a major explosion that blew out the windows and pieces of the front of the house,
News 2
reports.
Ervin went into the flaming house and found 37-year-old April Chumley lying near the front door. Neighbors tell News 2 that the woman is severely disabled, non-communicative, and incapable of escaping the inferno on her own.
Ervin grabbed the woman and pulled her to safety, saving her life.
The woman’s parents, 57-year-old Lisa Melheim and 54-year-old Joe Hartsfield were able to get out of the home before the blast.