By Tony Reid
Herald & Review
DECATUR, Ill. — Six Decatur firefighters received letters of commendation and unit citations for their efforts in saving five people — one of whom had to be revived — from a burning Decatur apartment building.
A news release from the Decatur Fire Department said the blaze happened on Feb. 7 in the 500 block of South Church Street. Crews arrived to find a multi-story building with flames leaping from a second-floor window and smoke coming from windows on both the second and third floors.
“...Four occupants were at a third-floor window calling for help,” said the release.
“Engine 1 crew attacked the fire while Truck 1 crew simultaneously deployed the ladder to the third floor to rescue all four occupants.” Those rescued were described at the time as two adults and two children.
Once the fire had been knocked down, the Engine 1 crew carried out a search of the building and found the unresponsive fifth victim still inside.
“The victim was removed and the crew immediately initiated medical care until they were relieved by AMR/Abbott personnel,” the release said.
“The victim survived this incident thanks to DFD.”
The firefighters honored with the letters of commendation were Truck 1 Crew: Lt. Blake Johnson; Lt. Mike Smith, Firefighter Jeremy Durbin.
The unit citation was awarded to Engine 1 Crew: Probationary Firefighter Kearon Cole, Firefighter Luke McKenzie; Lt. Robert Guthrie.
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