Atlanta officers spring into action to save residents inside burning home

ATLANTA - A group of Atlanta police officers' quick thinking and bravery helped rescue multiple residents after their home caught on fire earlier this month.

Bodycam footage caught the rescue attempt as the officers entered the burning building.

What we know:

Atlanta Police Officer Connor Ireland says he was responding to another call when bystanders began yelling about a fire at a home on the corner of Hill Street and Woodward Avenue last Friday.

"We were actually on another incident at the gas station. Then we had some civilians flag us down, telling us that a building was on fire right down the street," Ireland said.

He ran over to investigate, and other officers from the Zone 6 Precinct, including Briayna Mabry and John Griffith, soon joined him.

"A bunch of people were standing outside, and they were screaming, ‘There are still people inside the house! There are still people inside the house!’" Ireland recalled.

Acting Fast to Save Lives

The officers knew time was running out.

"Depending on age, it can be minutes, it could be seconds. It depends on their age and their health as well," said Officer Mabry.

They didn’t hesitate.

"What was most important was getting a headcount of the people coming out and trying to figure out who was left inside," Mabry said.

After rescuing several people, they learned there was still one more person inside.

Once again, they didn’t hesitate—even as thick smoke filled the house, making it difficult to see and breathe.

"As we went in deeper into the house, the smoke started to get to my throat. So we’re coughing and trying to give him commands to come out quickly," Mabry said.

They found the last person and got them out safely.

"There was definitely an adrenaline dump after the fact, and then the realization that we did save a life—that I was in a house literally in flames, and anything could have happened. So it's a gratifying feeling, absolutely," Mabry said.

Why They Do This Work

All three APD officers told FOX 5 that this kind of lifesaving work is exactly why they joined the force.

"I don’t do this for the praise of the public or the praise of anybody. I do it because it’s my job, and I have a sincere yearning to serve," Mabry said.

"This is a job where you are going to put yourself in dangerous situations… so I come second, and all the other people who I swore to serve come first," Ireland said.

"I think any officer that’s passionate about doing this job for the right reasons is going to go in the house," Officer Griffith said.

They also emphasized that part of their motivation was having each other’s backs.

"I saw my brother go in, and I didn’t want him to go in by himself. I wanted to save a life with him, and just in case he got knocked out, I could drag him out. We’d figure something out. But he was not going in by himself," Mabry said.

What we don't know:

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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