Developmentally Delayed Man Rescued From House Fire In Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — A 20-year-old man was rescued from a burning house in Westlake on Thursday evening. Police officers had to break through a back door on the house to get to the man.

At 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, callers told police there was a car fire in an attached garage at a home on Beethoven Drive. When police and fire crews arrived, the garage was engulfed in flames and the fire was extending to the roof of the house.

Police knew there was a developmentally disabled 20-year-old inside the house and were concerned the man was still inside. Officers broke through the back door of the house and entered the smoke filled home.

The 20-year-old was inside. Police said he was in "distress." Officers rescued the man, carrying him to safety.

Fire crews from Westlake, Bay Village, Rocky River, North Olmsted, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Avon and North Ridgeville helped put out the fire.

No one was hurt because of the fire.

The cause of the flames is currently under investigation.