Woodbury Man Honored For Efforts During Fire Rescue

Woodbury resident Charles Krinke was driving down Woodbury Drive on April 2, 2010, when he saw a lightning strike and flames coming from a home in the city’s Wedgewood neighborhood.

He said he kicked the door in, told a woman that her home was on fire, and helped her disabled son evacuate the home.

On Tuesday, May 17, the honored Krinke with the Kargel Memorial Award, which “recognizes citizens who perform extraordinary acts in the area of public safety within the city of Woodbury,” according to a release from the city.

Krinke, a 67-year-old who has to be on oxygen 24-7, said he was surprised when the city called about the award.

“It was no biggie,” he said. “Anybody would have done it.”

At the time of the incident, Krinke said he had no fear for his safety. Even looking back on it later, he said he wouldn’t have done anything differently.

“I didn’t think nothing of it,” he said. “I was surprised when they called (about the honor). That’s not worth an award.”

Krinke said he was impressed with the response of the Woodbury Fire Department.

“They sure as hell know what they’re doing,” he said.

The woman was inside paying bills with her two dogs with the April 2010 fire broke out, Krinke said.

“I don’t know how my foot got up to the door,” he said. “I apologized to her for it afterward. It was a nice door.”

Award

The Kargel Memorial Award was established by Lucille Kargel in memory of her late husband.

Anyone in the community can nominate an individual to receive the Kargel award. The Kargel Award committee of the Public Safety Board reviews all nominations and arranges for presentation of the award upon approval.

For more information on the Kargel Memorial Award, or to nominate someone, contact the board president at info@woodburypublicsafetyboard.org.