Lunenburg County, Va. — Two sheriff’s deputies from Lunenburg County acted quickly and courageously to save a bedridden resident from a house fire on Monday, February 10, just after 4 p.m. The fire occurred in the 100 block of Pamplin Road, where authorities confirmed that the trapped individual was unable to escape due to their condition.
Deputies Howard Phillips and Cody Kinker were among the first responders to arrive at the scene, reaching the house before fire crews. Upon arrival, they were told that a person was trapped inside the burning home. Despite heavy smoke and flames, the deputies attempted to enter through the front door but were forced to retreat due to the dangerous conditions.
Realizing the urgency, Deputies Phillips and Kinker reassessed the situation and made the decision to break through a window in order to gain access to the interior of the home. After entering, they successfully located the bedridden individual and managed to remove them from the hazardous environment.
At the time of the fire, five people were inside the house. While the other four residents were able to escape unharmed, the bedridden individual was unable to leave on their own due to their physical limitations. The rescued person was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where authorities reported they are expected to make a full recovery.
Sheriff Arthur Townsend of Lunenburg County praised the deputies for their actions, calling them an example of bravery and selflessness. In a statement shared on social media, Sheriff Townsend said, “I commend Deputies Phillips and Kinker for their bravery and selflessness in risking their own lives to save another. I also extend my gratitude to the responding fire departments and EMS for their prompt and professional efforts in battling the fire. Their combined actions undoubtedly prevented a tragedy.”
The fire is still under investigation, and no further details regarding its cause have been released. However, the swift response of Deputies Phillips and Kinker, along with the support of local fire departments and emergency services, is being hailed as a key factor in preventing a potentially devastating outcome.
