Girl Saved From Fire By Off-Duty Greenwich Firefighter

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich firefighter is being hailed as a hero after he jumped into action to help save a girl from a fire in Waterbury on Saturday afternoon.

According to Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary, off-duty Greenwich firefighter Doug Howley was driving to a birthday party in Waterbury Saturday afternoon when he noticed a fire in an apartment complex on Meriden Road.

"His instincts and training kicked in, and he dashed to assist in the building's evacuation," O'Leary said in a Facebook post Saturday.

Howley saw a father and daughter attempting to escape a second-floor apartment where the fire had begun, O'Leary said.

"The father was able to lower his daughter into Doug's waiting arms shortly before the Waterbury Firefighters arrived on scene," O'Leary added. "Thank you Doug Howley! You are a hero!"

The Waterbury Fire Department said two adults were rescued by the first arriving truck company.

Howley works in Greenwich on Group 3, Engine 1, according to the Greenwich Fire Department. The GFD lauded Howley's heroic efforts Saturday evening.

"Your efforts [have] made our whole department proud," the GFD said. "Great job Doug."