Neighbor Uses Sledgehammer To Save Woman Trapped In House During Fire: Arlington Heights FD

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Two residents were trapped inside their home Wednesday morning as a directly adjacent garage to the property caught on fire. While one of the residents was eventually able to get out of the home safely, the other was rescued by a neighbor, an act being lauded by the Arlington Heights Fire Department.

According to AHFD, the first crews responded to a reported house fire with people trapped at 10 a.m. in the 1100 block of North Dryden Avenue. The firefighters, who arrived at the scene within three minutes of being notified, found a single-car garage fully engulfed in flames.

As one of the occupants escaped the fire unassisted, the other remained trapped in the home. A neighbor, upon noticing the fire, used a sledgehammer to force open the locked front door and carry the woman safely out of the home.

Both occupants were evaluated at the scene by fire paramedics. Officials said one was taken to an area hospital for further care, and the other was released.

While assessing the situation, the firefighters immediately initiated an aggressive attack on the fire and conducted a thorough search of the residence to ensure all occupants were accounted for. AHFD said the firefighters were able to confirm everyone had safely exited or been removed from the home.

According to AHFD, minor damage was noted to one adjacent property. Firefighters were able to successfully contain the fire to the garage, preventing it from spreading to the main residence.

Arlington Heights firefighters were aided by Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights firefighters. Station coverage was provided by firefighters from Schaumburg, Wheeling, Palatine, and Glenview fire departments.

AHFD commended the neighbor's "quick and selfless actions for removing their neighbor from the danger."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Arlington Heights Fire and Police Fire investigation team.