AURORA, IL — An Aurora police officer is credited for helping seven residents safely evacuate a burning home Sept. 21, including a man who was still sleeping, officials said Wednesday.
Police were called at about 6:27 a.m. to a structure fire in the 1100 block of North Randall Road. Officer Justin Cebulski arrived before firefighters and began speaking with residents who were exiting the home to determine if more people were inside, according to a news release.
Despite a language barrier, Cebulski determined several more people were inside, so he placed a call into the home to prompt other occupants to leave the home.
He continued speaking with each person as they evacuated to account for everyone who was inside, officials said. That's how Cebulski determined there was still one resident inside.
As flames were visible from the roof and a fire was burning inside the home, he entered, forced open a bedroom door and found a man asleep, officials said. Cebulski then helped him evacuate.
Aurora Fire Department crews arrived within minutes to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames that spread into concealed spaces within the attic and roof.
"Officer Cebulski kept working to make sure everyone was accounted for," Police Chief Matt Thomas said in a statement. "When he learned someone was still inside, he acted quickly to bring that person to safety. We're grateful for his steady focus and decisive action, and proud of the care he showed for the people in that home."
No injuries were reported among residents or Cebulski.
The fire department did not share the cause of the fire, saying it remains under investigation.
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