Long Beach police sergeant rescues resident inside burning home

The Long Beach Police Department says Arroyo didn’t hesitate to rush in and get homeowner Stephen Pryke out before the house became fully engulfed in flames.

News 12 Staff

Feb 19, 2023, 5:53 PM

Updated 439 days ago

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A Long Beach police sergeant saved the life of a resident who was inside a burning home Sunday morning.
Police say the fire began at the home on 28 West Penn St. around 2:15 a.m.
Sgt. Judy Arroyo was flagged down by a good Samaritan who alerted her to the fire.
The Long Beach Police Department says Arroyo didn’t hesitate to rush in and get homeowner Stephen Pryke out before the house became fully engulfed in flames.
“I was going downstairs. The police officer came upstairs and grabbed me. She took me out through the front door and properly saved me. She did a great job,” said Pyrke.
Long Beach Police Commissioner Ron Walsh says he's amazed by Arroyo's quick actions.
“She went in. She saved lives, ran into this building, not even thinking about her own safety,” he said.
Walsh also says Arroyo sustained second-degree burns on her hand, forehead and ear while trying to get upstairs to see if anyone else was in the house. She was treated at a hospital afterwards and is expected to make a full recovery.
Pyrke’s next-door neighbor has since offered a vacant apartment to rent as he rebuilds his home.
Fire officials say the blaze started outside on the back deck. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but not currently considered suspicious.


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