Helmet cam footage captures rescues from the third floor at the rear of a Wyoming apartment building

By John Tunison
mlive.com

WYOMING, Mich. — Dramatic helmet-cam video shows firefighters rescuing two adults and a child from a burning apartment building.

Wyoming firefighters released the video Tuesday, a day after the Jan. 19 fire.

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The 8:45 p.m. fire, in the 4200 block of Clyde Park Avenue SW, caused residents in 33 units to be displaced. Arriving Wyoming firefighters were told that people were trapped on the third floor.

Firefighters immediately grabbed a 35-foot ladder from a truck, found an apartment with people at a window, then raised the ladder against the building. “We’re on our way,” a firefighter says to a distressed woman at the window.

Firefighters repeatedly tell the people, “Do not jump! We’re on the way. Hang on.” The video shows a firefighter reaching out to grab a young child.

“Thank you,” a woman says, panicked. “My baby, my baby.” The firefighter makes his way down the ladder, telling the child “It’s OK. I got you.”

Soon after, firefighters helped two other people out the same window and a cat.

The two adults and the child were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire officials said single-digit temperatures and below-zero wind chills made fighting the fire difficult. The fire spread rapidly, causing collapses in parts of the building. An excavator was called to help demolish parts of the structure.

Wyoming Fire Marshal Brad Dornbos said that most, or possibly all, of the displaced residents had been given emergency housing through the apartment building’s owner.

Wyoming fire officials said the fire illustrates the importance of having an emergency escape plan, but also working smoke detectors. Those in need of smoke detectors can call the Wyoming Fire Administration Office at 616-530-7250 to discuss available options.

Do you wear a helmet camera? Does your department have a policy on helmet cams? If you use one, tell us how it has helped with training or operations.

Focus on heat resistance, video quality, durability, ease of use, cost and special features

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