Watch: Virginia police officers crawl though burning home to rescue man trapped in fire

Police officers in Virginia are being hailed heroes after rescuing a man who was trapped inside a burning home.  

What we know:

On Oct. 3, a fire broke out at a home in the town of Culpeper, Virginia.   When officers from the Culpeper Police Department arrived on scene before the fire department, they encountered heavy smoke pouring out of the windows.

The Culpeper Police Department says residents living in separate apartments in the house told officers they were worried that one man was still inside the home and Officer Ashley Sain rushed toward the house and went in without protective gear and began checking doors, searching for anyone who might still be inside. 

Officer Neal Coffey joined Officer Sain moments later and while searching the second floor, the officers encountered a bedroom door that was locked from the inside and smoke was pouring from the bottom of the door that opened outward.  Officers said the door was obstructed, and Officer Coffey used a pocket tool to quickly manipulate the lock and gain entry and once opened, heavy black smoke poured from the bedroom, where flames were also visible. 

Sergeant D. Cole and Officer M. Beel arrived at the scene and joined Officers Sain and Coffey on the second floor.

Footage captured Officer Coffey crawling on his hands and knees, and then on his chest, through heavy smoke before locating an unresponsive man in bed.

"Come on, brother, come with me! I’m trying to get him out; I have him; he’s breathing! Pull, pull," the Coffey can be heard saying on video.

With the help of the other three officers, the man was dragged out of the home to safety just as firefighters and paramedics arrived on the scene.

All four officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation following the rescue and are currently doing well.

What they're saying:

"That’s the way they’re wired, that’s why they took the oath, that’s why they’re police officers. They’re wired to save lives no matter what the cost is," said Culpeper Police Chief Chris Settle.  

"Despite the significant risks posed by the fire and hazardous conditions, these police officers and firefighters acted swiftly and selflessly, placing the safety and well-being of another person above their own," said Culpeper County Emergency Services Director Bill Ooten. "Their decisive actions, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty exemplify the highest standards of public service. Their actions reflect great credit upon themselves, their departments, and the community they proudly serve."

What's next:

The Culpeper Police Department says its detectives are investigating how the fire started and  are being assisted by the Virginia State Police arson investigators. 

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