A Kent Police officer helped evacuate residents from an occupied downtown building after a fire broke out adjacent to the structure last week, according to the Kent Police Department.
Police said patrol officers and crews from Puget Sound Fire were dispatched after a pile of materials caught fire near the corner of an occupied building in downtown Kent.
Officer Stotler, one of the first officers to arrive, recognized the fire posed a greater threat than initially reported and advised dispatch to upgrade the fire response, according to police.
The officer’s previous firefighting experience also proved useful when fire crews arrived. Kent Police said Stotler helped “take a hydrant,” connecting a large hose from a fire hydrant to a fire truck to support firefighting operations.
As firefighters worked to contain the blaze, Kent patrol officers entered the building and went door to door to evacuate residents.
According to police, all occupants were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. The fire was later extinguished by Puget Sound Fire crews.
Puget Sound Fire Engineer Ramos thanked Stotler for his assistance during the incident, according to the department.
“During calls when seconds matter, working together as a team, regardless of the uniform you wear, is critical,” the Kent Police Department said in a statement.
“Great job Officer Stotler and to his crew who jumped in without hesitation to go through the halls evacuating residents,” police added. ” And of course major kudos to the Puget Sound Fire crew that expertly extinguished the fire and ensured the residents and officers were safe.”
