Deputy sheriff injured in rescue of woman from smoke-filled apartment

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Sunday, April 12, 2015 — A Nelson County deputy sheriff suffered smoke inhalation while carrying a woman from a smoke-filled apartment early Sunday morning.

At 2:14 a.m., Deputy A. J. Lewis was dispatched to the New Haven Greens apartment complex in the 100 block of Fifth Street for a welfare check on a woman after neighbors reported hearing the smoke alarm sounding in her apartment.

Lewis arrived and found the smell of smoke coming from her apartment but no one answered the door. On entry, the apartment was filled with heavy smoke. He located the woman and carried her outside to safety. He re-entered the apartment and removed a hot cooking pan that had been smoldering.

The New Haven Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted Lewis in evacuating the residents from the affected part of the apartment building.

The woman, identified by police as Connie McCandless, was transported by Nelson County EMS to Flaget Memorial Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Lewis was also transported to Flaget for treatment.

-30-