By FireRescue1 Staff
HILTON HEAD, S.C. — After a video that captured a daring balcony rescue went viral this week, firefighters recounted the close call experience.
Firefighters used a ladder to climb 35 feet to rescue an elderly man trapped on the balcony of a fast-burning condo Jan. 8, reported WSAV.
“We have a saying in the fire service, we risk a lot to save a lot,” Hilton Head Fire Capt. Dave Bell said. “This was a textbook situation that fit.”
Fire apparatus operator Joe Zoffoli climbed the ladder after crews heard the man’s cries for help. Capt. Bell said crews were initially unable to locate the man while inside the condo; it wasn’t until they made it through the living room that they reached a “break.”
The entire condo was filled with fire and smoke with temperatures reaching around 1,000 degrees. Capt. Bell said conditions temporarily improved allowing them to see daylight from the balcony and push through to the victim’s position.
“By being persistent, by relying on our training up until this point, we got what I like to call kind of a break, and it worked well for us that were were able to stick with it and push through,” Capt. Bell said.
Capt. Bell and firefighter Jason Karshner reached the balcony with the man, which was their only exit. They said a quick change in conditions allowed them to reach the man on the balcony.
“We don’t usually have video proof of what’s happened,” Capt. Bell said. “And hopefully it can show people the dangers of this job, and how quickly things can turn for the worst.”