- April 18, 2024
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A Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputy entered a W-Section house fire and rescued a 3-year-old boy on Oct. 17.
“Without DFC Dawson immediately running toward danger, even without a safety respirator, this could have been a much different outcome. This child was hiding in fear of the fire and smoke watching a cartoon on his phone when, thankfully, DFC Dawson’s training in emergency response allowed him to find this child and safely rescue him. This was a dangerous situation, and we are very proud of DFC Dawson’s bravery and commitment to serving this community and saving a life.”
— RICK STALY, Flagler County sheriff
K-9 Deputy First Class Marcus Dawson had been first at the scene at the scene responding to a 911 call from a neighbor at about 7 p.m., arriving before firefighters.
There was light smoke showing from the home, and a neighbor outside told him that he’d seen flames in the kitchen, footage from the deputy’s body camera showed. Dawson asked how many people lived there, and the neighbor said three, and added that he hadn’t seen the residents at the home that day.
Dawson quickly checked the perimeter of the house and saw flames on the stove, spreading to cabinets.
He used his radio to alert dispatch of the location of the nearest fire hydrant, and banged at the home’s front door, yelling “Sheriff’s Office!”
No one responded, but there was a bathroom light on, and when he checked the rear of the home, he could hear dogs barking at a sliding glass door as black smoke seeped into the bedroom.
He told dispatchers that there were animals in the home and entered the screened patio, and, again, no one responded when he called out.
But he spotted movement under the covers of the bed of the master bedroom, and entered the room to find a 3-year-old boy hiding under the blankets.
“Hi buddy, where’s your Mommy?” he said, as he scooped the child up. “Come with me.” The little boy said “OK” as the deputy carried him out of the room while a cartoon continued to play on the cell phone in the child’s hands.
Fire Department paramedics checked the boy on scene, and cleared him.
Palm Coast Fire Department Engine 21, Engine 22, Engine 23, Ladder 25, Tower 24, Battalion, Fire Police & Rescue 24 responded the home, according to a Facebook post by the Fire Department, and firefighters determined the the fire began in the microwave.
They were able to contain the damage to the kitchen.
“The child was in good spirits and grateful to his heroes for the rescue,” the department said in the post.
Deputies met with the child’s father, and determined that he’d left the sleeping 3-year-old in the care of a 17-year-old sibling while picking up dinner, according to an FCSO news release.
All three residents of the home were uninjured. View footage of the rescue here: https://youtu.be/smShzLMXj8o.
