Police officer at fierce fire in Boston townhouse kicks down doors, helps save 18 lives
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Not just a hero but a humble one too.
The Boston Police Department is crediting Officer Luis Lopez with saving the lives of residents of a Dorchester townhouse that caught fire over the weekend.
“Thanks to Officer Lopez,” a statement released by the BPD read, “material items, items measured in dollars and cents, were the only casualties of the fire.”
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The fire started around 8 p.m. on Saturday night, and Officer Lopez was the first responder at the townhouse where 18 people, including 4 children, reside.
“You could see the flames and it didn’t look good. As soon as I exited my cruiser, people started pointing to the building and yelling that there were still people inside," Lopez said, according to MyFoxBoston.
Lopez is a 12 year veteran of the BPD, and he wasted no time.
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"I immediately entered the building and started knocking on doors, kicking doors in and ordering people to evacuate the building," he said.
Asked whether he considered himself a hero, Lopez answered, “While I appreciate the compliment. I’m not a hero. I’m a police officer. This is what we do. This is what we signed up for, and I’m grateful I was able to make a difference today.”
He added, “I’m just happy everybody got out alive. One guy was sound asleep when I kicked in his door. I know I startled him but I’m just glad we got him out," he said.
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According to the Boston Globe, one firefighter suffered a back injury fighting the blaze, which is estimated as causing $500,000 in damage.