California police officers recently “raced against time” to save a man trapped inside a burning trailer.
The life-threatening situation unfolded at the Grand Avenue Mobile Home Park on Dec. 27, when officers with the Grover Beach Police Department received a report of a trailer fire.
Upon arrival on the scene, police learned from people on the ground that a man was stuck inside.
“Our officers jumped into action to rescue a man trapped in his trailer as flames blocked his exit,” the GBPD said in a Facebook post. “Thanks to swift action by dispatchers, and alert citizens who informed our officers that there was still a person inside the trailer, the man’s life was saved.”
Fortunately, the man suffered only minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to be assessed after his rescue.
Bodycam footage released after the incident shows police arriving at the RV park, approaching the inferno, and asking, “Is there someone inside?” After residents responded — and with flames quickly consuming the RV — cops immediately ran toward danger to save the victim.
One officer started bashing in a trailer window and yelled, “Where are you?” The cop was desperately trying to find the man as smoke billowed out of the RV; the victim could be heard screaming for help from inside.
Suddenly, the man was seen in the body cam footage jumping headfirst out of one of the windows the officer had smashed.
”Go! Go! Go!” the cop responded, quickly grabbing the man and bringing him away from the blaze.
Officer Sam Castillo, one of the responding officers, told KSBY-TV that the sights and sounds he experienced in those moments stuck with him.
“I could hear the person screaming,” he said. “That was in my mind for a little bit even after I got off that day.”
Castillo said the victim thought he wouldn’t make it.
“He looked at us and said, ‘Man, I thought I was a goner. Thank you guys,'” the cop added. “It feels good to know you helped someone, especially in an incident like this.”
Other first responders also saved lives. The Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA) worked diligently to stop the inferno from spreading to other trailers. The FCFA later reported that the fire was caused by a portable propane heater.
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A GoFundMe published by the victim’s friends who reportedly work with him at a California Home Depot identified the man as Paul Schneider and said he lost everything in the blaze.
“About two and a half years ago, Paul’s landlord passed away, and Paul had to move,” the GoFundMe reads. “Paul spent every dime he had buying himself a beautiful 5th wheel RV, which he has been living in since.”
The text adds, “He lost everything but his life. Not only his home and furniture, but every piece of clothing, shoes, wallet, phone, car keys, ID, everything… GONE.”
The GoFundMe is aiming to raise $10,000. Continue to pray for Schneider as he recovers from this tragedy.
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