FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2020
Charlottesville City Deputy Injured Rescuing Victims From Fire
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Charlottesville City Sheriff’s Deputy rescued multiple people from an apartment fire. One deputy was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
On September 3, 2020, at approximately 10:00 AM, the Charlottesville Fire Department responded to an apartment fire with people trapped in the 700 block of Prospect Avenue.
Two Charlottesville City Sheriff’s Office Deputies were driving through the area and were the first to notice the smoke and flames. One deputy helped rescue seven people from the building and attempted to go back in but the smoke was too thick. The fire department arrived on scene within minutes to find heavy flames and smoke showing.
Firefighters controlled the fire in under ten minutes of the initial call while also rescuing a person from the second floor. The apartment where the fire occurred was vacant and is a total loss. Two other apartments were damaged by smoke and the families of those units have been displaced temporarily. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced families. The incident is still under investigation and total damages are not yet fully determined.
Two people, including the sheriff’s deputy, were transported to UVA Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. If not for the deputy’s heroic actions, this incident may have had a different outcome. The Charlottesville Police Department also responded and assisted at the scene. The Charlottesville Fire Department would like to thank the City’s Sheriff and Police Departments for their invaluable assistance this morning.
Please take a moment and check your smoke alarms to ensure they are working and remember to test them monthly.
Media Contact
Joe Powers
Deputy Chief
Charlottesville Fire Department
434-970-3528
powers@charlottesville.gov
