Neighbor rescues man from burning Colorado Springs home
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Witnesses are calling their neighbor a hero after he rescued a man from a burning home in southeast Colorado Springs.
The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition with extensive burns, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD).
CSFD says they responded to a structure fire on Tuesday, September 15, near 2510 Cather Ave around 11:30 am.
Raymond Cox III told KRDO13 he was working at his desk at home when he looked out the window to see the garage of the house across the street engulfed in flames. He said he immediately called 911 and rushed over.
Cox told KRDO13 he knows the family well. He found one of his neighbors had gotten out, but one was still inside.
A video posted by CSFD showed dispatcher footage from the moment they realized someone may have been trapped in the home, unconscious.
Cox said he opened the front door, and a cloud of smoke rushed out.
"I called out his name, and I heard him kind of groan," Cox said.
He told KRDO13 he thought the man was about eight feet away from him.
"I knew I have a chance. I can go in there. I can get him out of there," Cox said. "I just tried to make my way out of the door. I couldn't see a thing."
Cox was also taken to the hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation but has since returned home.
He assured KRDO13 that he was OK and only suffered a small burn on his arm.
CSFD said a female who also was home when the fire broke out was treated on scene and released.
Crews were able to put the fire out by 1 p.m., according to CSFD.
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) said a preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was likely accidental. CSFD said the official cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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