JENNINGS COUNTY — Four officers are being called heroes after they ran into a burning apartment building to help people escape Monday evening.
Firefighters and officers responded to the apartment complex in the 400 block of Woodlawn Drive Monday around 5 a.m. for a report of a fire.
Fire officials say police officers arrived on the scene moments before them and they were able to begin evacuations of the adjoined apartments complexes. When firefighters arrived flames were already showing through the roofs of both buildings.
In a post on Facebook, the Jennings County Sheriff's Office praised Deputy Garrett Hoppock and the officers from the North Vernon Police Department for rushing into the apartment complex and helping residents escape.
According to the post, Deputy Hoppock rushed into the building and was able to find a man, asleep in a bed, and pull him to safety.
"We would like to thank all of those involved, including all surrounding fire departments, the Red Cross and Wendy's for donating food and coffee, Rescue 20 - who took on many patients, and anyone else who assisted," Jennings County Sheriff's Office posted.
The North Vernon Police Department shared another post praising Sgt. Todd Beam, Officer Scott Willis and K9 Officer Shane Trepanier for also risking their lives and rushing into the burning home to help residents escape.
Fire officials say all 12 units were destroyed in the fire and roughly 30 residents were displaced. Red Cross responded to the scene to help those residents find lodging and other necessities.
No residents were injured but one firefighter did receive minor injuries while working the fire. He was treated on the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the North Vernon Fire Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshall's Office.
