PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police officers rushed to a burning house to rescue two elderly residents from an apartment fire in Plymouth Township.

Plymouth Township police officers responded to reports of a fire in the 40350 block of Newport Drive at 1:02 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, with two people trapped in an apartment.

According to Plymouth Township police Chief James H. Knittel Jr., when officers arrived at the home, they found heavy amounts of cigarette smoke coming from inside the home and immediately confirmed that people were trapped inside.

Officers forced entry through the front door, where they found a man with bleeding from his face and arm. Police teams entered the house and helped the person get out safely. When the police learned that the man’s wife was still at home, they went in and rescued the woman.

Officers were able to rescue both residents in less than five minutes after arriving at the scene of the fire, Knittel said.

“I am incredibly proud of our officers. They risked their own safety by entering a burning and smoke-filled house and rescued two senior citizens who were trapped there. “These heroic actions exemplify the courage of our officers and ultimately saved the lives of two senior citizens living in this community.”

Both citizens, whose life was not in danger, were taken to nearby hospitals and treated. Police officers affected by the smoke were intervened at the scene by firefighters.

Plymouth County police Chief James Knittel describes saving elderly couple from house fire