ORION TWP. (WWJ) -- A quick-thinking and fast-acting Oakland County Sheriff's deputy came to the rescue of two children who were trapped inside their burning Orion Township home Friday evening.
The OSCO applauded the deputy's efforts, as it released video of the rescue on Tuesday.
At around 4:50 p.m. on July 10, deputies assigned to the Orion Township Substation and firefighters from the Orion Township Fire Department responded to a reported house fire in the 2900 block of Meadowbrook Court.
A 911 caller reported that two children were trapped on the second floor and unable to escape.
Deputy Musse was the first to arrive at the scene, the sheriff's office said.
He immediately saw two boys at an upstairs window as smoke filled the home.
Recognizing the extreme urgency, Musse quickly placed a trash can beneath the window to gain the extra height needed to reach the children. Using the improvised platform, the deputy helped boys through the window and safely lowered them to the ground.
"This incident could have had a far different outcome," said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard. "Deputy Musse immediately recognized that every second mattered. His ability to rapidly assess the situation, improvise with the tools available and act without hesitation allowed these two young boys to escape what could have become a tragic situation. His actions exemplify the courage, professionalism and commitment our deputies demonstrate every day."
Firefighters from the Orion Township Fire Department then entered the residence to rescue the family dog, which was still trapped inside. They were also able to extinguish the fire before it could spread further.
Paramedics transported the two victims — a 10-year-old Orion Township boy and his 12-year-old brother — to a local hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation and released.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
