A house fire in DeLand, Florida turned into a story about neighbors looking out for neighbors this week, after a Navy veteran ran into a burning home to pull out a young girl and her dog before anyone in uniform even had time to arrive. The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at a home on Cascade Falls Lane, and thanks to a mix of quick thinking and pure guts, everyone involved is expected to be okay.
Surveillance video from a neighboring home caught the whole thing unfolding in real time and was shared with FOX 35 Orlando. You can see smoke pouring from the house while the girl and her dog were still inside, and then a man sprinting down the street straight into the danger zone. No hesitation, no waiting for backup. That is the kind of neighbor most people hope they have but rarely get to see in action.
The veteran did not want his name released and made a point of telling reporters he was not looking for credit. According to the girl’s mother, he is the reason her daughter and the family dog made it out safely. When asked about it, he reportedly kept it simple, saying he was just being a good neighbor. Modesty aside, that is a pretty understated way to describe running into a house fire.
He was not the only one who went above and beyond that day. A DeLand police officer and a Volusia County Sheriff’s deputy also entered the burning home to help with the rescue. Between the veteran and the two officers, three separate people made the call to go toward the fire instead of away from it, which is not something you see every day.
Everyone Involved Was Treated for Smoke Exposure
The girl, the two responding officers, and the veteran himself all ended up going to the hospital afterward. Fire officials say the checkups were mainly related to smoke inhalation, along with some minor burns.
As of the latest update, the girl remained hospitalized, though everyone involved is expected to recover. The veteran told reporters he is doing fine, which is good news considering how close he got to the flames.
Firefighters Responded Within Minutes
The fire department says crews arrived on scene just a couple of minutes after the call came in, which is about as fast as anyone could reasonably ask for. Photos released by the department show significant damage inside the home, with charred ceilings and soot covering the walls.
Firefighters actually returned to the property hours after the flames were out just to make sure no hidden hotspots would flare back up overnight. That kind of follow-through does not always make headlines, but it matters just as much as the initial response.
Cause of the Fire Still Under Investigation
The state fire marshal is now looking into what sparked the blaze in the first place. No official cause has been released yet, and there is no indication of foul play at this point. Authorities say more details will come as the investigation continues.
Body camera footage from the responding DeLand police officers is expected to be released soon, which should offer an even closer look at how the rescue played out.