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YARMOUTH, Mass.
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A Yarmouth police officer is being called a hero after he rescued an unconscious woman from her burning home.
Police Officer Rescues Woman From Fire
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that two other officers were injured in the Bradford Road fire that started just after midnight.
Yarmouth police officer Officer Mark Thibeault went into the burning home to rescue Sharon Weatherby, 47.
"I didn't see her until she was a foot a way from me. And when I checked her responsiveness, she wouldn't answer me. At that point, she was wearing a thin shirt, I grabbed her by the top of the shirt, the shoulders and dragged her on her back," Thibeault said.
Fire officials said Thibeault risked his own life in the rescue.
"He put himself in extreme risk of personal injury of the highest nature in making this rescue. No question. They don't have the equipment. His uniform is just as flammable as the kindling you use in your fireplace," Yarmouth Fire Chief Randall Sherman said.
Neighbor William Tweedy called 911, then ran out to help his friend, Charlie Weatherby.
"I went over to see how he was doing. He wanted to run into the house. I said, 'Don't go in. You can't go in here. You can't get her.' His wife was inside," Tweedy said.
Thibeault was reluctant to be called a hero.
"I be honest, I don't think all this is necessary. Anybody would have done it, you know? I just happened to be the first person to show up," he said.
Investigators said the fire's official cause was careless disposal of smoking materials.
Weatherby was listed in grave condition on Tuesday night at a Boston hospital.
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