Sarasota police officers rescued two adults from a burning home on the 2200 block of North Osprey Avenue Friday night, with body camera video capturing the moments they entered the structure as flames spread through the building.
Officer Anthony Zippone said he was approximately one street away when the fire broke out. He and other officers arrived to find the home engulfed in flames and people running from the scene.
“Saw huge flames coming from the house, people kind of running out,” Zippone said. “The decision to run in was pretty easy.”
Officer Daniel Stephens located a woman who uses a walker trapped inside the home. Stephens said he did not hesitate.
“Let’s just take this chance and what’s the best way we’re gonna get out of here quickly,” Stephens said. “That was where the moment came. Just pick her up and let’s just go.”
Body cam footage also shows downed power lines raining sparks onto officers during the rescue.
A man and a woman, both adults, were pulled from the home by officers and sustained only minor injuries.
Zippone described the response as instinct rather than individual action.
“It’s just second nature for us,” he said. “We’re gonna go and we’re gonna handle whatever the situation is and keep that priority of life in mind.”
“It wasn’t just a courageous thing,” another officer said. “This is what we do. This is the whole department.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Source: mysuncoast
