Two Stanley police officers are being applauded after saving a man’s life on North Franklin Street Sunday night.
The two officers, Tyler Lewien and Christian Cortes-Cartagena, responded to a fire at 632 North Franklin at 11:00 p.m., called in by a neighbor who noticed flames in the kitchen area.
Entering the home, Officers Lewien and Cortes-Cartagena encountered a man who was unaware of the fire and incoherent, physically resisting officer attempts to remove him. Taking the man outside, the officers then met with responding firefighters from the Stanley and Boyd Fire Departments.
“They saved his life,” Stanley and Boyd-Edson-Delmar Fire Chief Ron Patten said of the officer’s actions prior to fire department arrival. “Five more minutes and it would probably have been too late.”
The two officers were transported for smoke inhalation, while the man was treated by EMS personnel at the scene and did not need medical transport.
The fire, deemed electrical, started between the ceiling of the kitchen and floor of the second story.
Patten said the home was on a rent to buy contract, with Kenneth and Debra McCarty listed as owner on Chippewa County GIS. Patten said the home sustained an estimated $250,000 in smoke and water damage, and was unsure on repairs. He did not have the name of the man who was rescued.
Three dogs and several cats were rescued from the home as well. “As far as we know non of the animals succumbed to the smoke,” Patten said.
Stanley Police Chief praised officers Lewien and Cortes in a statement Monday.
“Officer Tyler Lewien and Officer Christian Cortes responded to the residence and quickly assessed the scene, determining that there were an adult male and multiple pets inside the home,” he said. “The officers entered the home and immediately encountered thick smoke that had filled the residence. While searching they located an inebriated male on the floor in the living room. The individual was incoherent and physically resisted the officer’s attempts to remove him.
“The officers had to briefly retreat from the residence due to complications they were facing because of the heavy smoke but selflessly reentered a short time later and made their way back to the man. Officer Lewien grabbed a hold of the belt that the individual was wearing and physically dragged him out of the residence to safety.
Officer Cortes was able to extricate multiple family pets from the home.”
Weiland went on to express gratitude for the assistance of neighbors who made the call and assisted the two officers on scene with “critical information” on the dynamics of the house. Weiland also recognized the Stanley and Boyd Fire Departments, Boyd Ambulance, and the Chippewa County Communications Center for what he said was “their incredible management and work of this scene.”
“As a result of their self-sacrificing and courageous actions, Officer Lewien and Officer Cortes undoubtedly saved the life of a man and multiple family pets,” Weiland said. “I am so thankful for their swift and dedicated response for this family within our community during their ultimate time of need. This truly is what service to others is all about!”