FRESNO, Calif. -- A Fresno family is thanking police and firefighters for saving their lives overnight.
A fire broke out at their home after midnight near Lexington Avenue and Hagler Avenue in Northwest Fresno. Fresno Police officers followed the smoke to the home, and went into rescue mode. A person stuck inside the home in a wheelchair was rescued by officers.
"Officer Cowart never hesitated, got down on his hands and knees got low on the ground got to the person, drug them off the bed then, and the other officers helped carry him out the rest of the way," said Mike Doyle, Fresno Police.
"They (police) don't have protective equipment like we do, or even the training to recognize what kind of smoke is happening or what is going to happen in the next few minutes so... It was an extraordinary effort on their behalf to risk their life for these people they don't really know but because they did, the people are alive today," said Tony Escobido, Fresno Fire Department.
The five members of the family, one of the officers, and a firefighter were treated for smoke inhalation. Investigators say the fire started in the living room, but they're still trying to figure out how it sparked.