1 Person Hospitalized After Jumping Out Window During Del Paso Heights Apartment Fire
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Firefighters say one person was rushed to the hospital after a large fire tore through an apartment complex in Del Paso Heights early Friday morning.
The fire was first reported just before 3:45 a.m along the 300 block of Anderson Court.
It appears the fire grew very quickly, with the incident going to two alarms, but everyone inside the units managed to get out in time. A total of nine people had to evacuate.
Heavy flames could be seen shooting from the upper units. By the time the flames were under control, the structure suffered significant damage.
Firefighters say the person who was taken to the hospital was found in a front yard by a security guard who saw the flames and jumped into action. Officials say the person, who is now in critical condition, had jumped out of a second-story window.
"He went headfirst into the car at the bottom and fell to the ground," said Sgt. Garret Dinkins, with Watchman Specialty Protection.
Dinkins said he was mid-shift and with no help in sight, he jumped into action.
"When he came out of the window, he was smoldering. His clothes were melting to his skin," he said.
Sgt. Dinkins said he quickly pat the man down and pulled him away from the fire. He's a decade into the job and says helping people doesn't get old.
"I enjoy helping people whether that puts me in danger that's just part of it," he said.
Sgt. Dinkins said if he gets the chance to see the man again he'd tell him one thing.
"No matter what, he's alive and I'm always going to be there for him if he ever wanted anything or wanted to talk to me or see me," he said.
The Red Cross is helping families who've been displaced. No other injuries were reported.
Exactly what caused the fire is now under investigation.