Watch N.Y. Troopers Dodge Flaming Debris, Evacuate Burning Building

A July 4 shooting call turned into a fire rescue operation for responding New York State Police troopers, who evacuated an apartment building that had caught fire.

Troopers were helping with crowd disbursement at around 10 p.m. following a fireworks display at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, the agency stated in a news release. That's when they received a report of shots fired nearby, locating a teen with a gunshot wound to the head.

At the same time, the troopers discovered that a fire had broken out on the first floor of a nearby building. With Albany police officers helping out, troopers began clearing out the surrounding buildings threatened by the fire, while lifesaving measures were initiated on the gunshot victim.

Body camera footage from the incident captured Trooper Thomas Stiehler rushing into the burning building to help get residents out. Once it became too dangerous inside, he went to a connected building filling with smoke and carried an elderly woman down multiple flights of stairs to safety.

Back at the burning building, Trooper James McGill went to the floor beneath the fire and helped several residents escape. After searching the unit to make sure no one remained, McGill had to avoid flaming debris that came crashing down from windows.

“The actions of these Troopers, and our partners from the Albany Police Department, reflect extraordinary courage and professionalism," said Superintendent Steven G. James in a statement. "Our members ran toward gunfire, into burning buildings, and did everything they could to save lives. This is what it means to serve the people of New York.”

The shooting and fire are under investigation.