Bodycam: N.Y. Troopers Rescue Trapped 80-Year-Old From Burning Home

New York State Police troopers pulled a trapped 80-year-old man from a burning, smoke-filled home in Oswegatchie before carrying him to safety.

Joe Vince

Aug. 17, 2026

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New York State Police troopers rescued an 80-year-old man trapped inside a burning home in Oswegatchie after quickly responding to a structure fire.
Body camera footage shows Trooper James Bertram entering heavy smoke to reach the resident before helping him to a porch, where Trooper Craig Thornhill carried him to safety.
The man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

New York State Police troopers saved an 80-year-old man trapped inside a burning home last week, and body camera footage captured the rescue.

The fire broke out just after 11 a.m. Thursday at a home in Oswegatchie, according to a New York State Police news release. Trooper James P. Bertram had been in the area and quickly responded to the scene.

Once at the house, Bertram discovered that one person was trapped inside. In the body camera footage, flames and smoke can be seen coming from one end of the house.

Bertram was able to reach the man through the heavy smoke, and he helped him outisde to a porch. Another trooper, Craig Thornhill, carried the resident to safety.

The 80-year-old man was rushed to the hospital, and his injuries weren't considered lie-threatening.

"(The troopers') actions reflect the dedication and commitment to public safety demonstrated by New York State Troopers every day," the agency stated.

The New York State Police were assisted at the scene by the Ogdensburg Fire Department, Morristown Fire and Rescue, Hammond Fire Department, Brier Hill Fire Department, Heuvelton Fire Department, and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.