VIDEO REPORT: Hero Officer Crawls into Burning Home to Save Kid
A Portage Police officer is being called a hero for crawling into a burning home to save a boy stranded inside.
Early Saturday morning, a fire started in the basement of a home on Marion St. Everyone escaped except for 9-year-old Payton Epstein, who was sleeping when it started.
Before fire crews arrived, Officer Bill Charlebois was at the scene. Despite smoke so thick parts of the home were hidden, and heat that had driven away others, he crawled inside shouting the boy's name. He couldn't see, but was able to miraculously find Payton by touch.
"I scooped him up and he wrapped his arms and legs around me real tight, and I obviously wrapped my arms around him," said Charlebois. He retraced his steps, and crawled out towards the light and safety.
Payton's mother Nicole only found out about the heroics as her family recovered at the hospital.
"I was just overwhelmed because how can you thank somebody for that?" she said. "It's the most important thing in your life."
Despite praise for his own heroicism, Charlebois credits Payton for saving his life.
"Fortunately I got to him when I did, because I don't know if I would have had the common sense to know when to say when and get out."
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.-
by Valerie Location: Poynete on Dec 5, 2012 at 12:55 PMAll we can say is thank you thank you officer.You saved a son,nephew and family! This was my neice and her son. Again thank you for running this to show just how special he is![ Report Abuse ]
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by Bill Location: Madison on Dec 5, 2012 at 11:27 AMIt is so refreshing to hear about a great story like this. Way to go Officer Bill Charlebois!!![ Report Abuse ]
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by meg on Dec 5, 2012 at 05:34 AMWhat a great gift he gave to this boy's family! Well done![ Report Abuse ]
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