Two are honored for rescuing woman, 85,
from residence fire
By Ken Kosky Thursday, March 18,
2010
PORTER | Two emergency responders who pulled an
elderly woman from her burning home on Feb. 16
were honored at Tuesday's Porter Police
Commission meeting.
The rescuers -- Assistant Porter Fire
Chief Jay Craig and Porter police Officer Larry
LaFlower -- were issued Life Saving Awards.
Police commissioners and a spokesperson from the
family thanked Craig and LaFlower at the
meeting.
Craig and LaFlower were honored for going beyond
the call of duty by entering the woman's
smoke-filled home without breathing apparatuses
and without regard to their own safety.
"I was really impressed," Porter police
Chief Jamie Spanier said of the men's actions.
The men rescued Shirley Skeds, 85, from
her home on east Oakhill Road just moments
before thick black smoke would have enveloped
her. Skeds' caregiver had dragged the
wheelchair-bound Skeds most of the way through
the home, but could not get her all the way out.
Craig rushed in, grabbed the woman, pulled her
the last 10 to 15 feet to the doorway area,
where LaFlower helped get her to an ambulance.
Skeds and her caregiver were treated for smoke
inhalation. Craig and LaFlower also took in some
smoke during the rescue. |
