By Suzie Ziegler
DEWEY BEACH, Del. — Officer John Kane had the night shift of his life last week. The 22-year-old officer stumbled across a house fire, and, realizing no one had yet called 911, proceeded to rescue the six people inside. That alone would have been impressive, but for Kane it was only half time.
The Dewey Beach police officer’s action-packed night began around 3 a.m. Saturday when he saw smoke and an orange glow, ABC 6 reported. Kane went to investigate and found a house ablaze and four cars parked outside.
“With no one standing outside and no one calling 911 yet, I knew I had to act quick because people were still in the house,” Kane said. The officer called the fire department and then tried to find a way into the house. The front of the building was already fully engulfed, but Kane managed to enter through the back door. The officer went up the stairs, found six residents and helped them escape.
“You know when you do this job, you may have to put your life at risk sometimes to help others. I just knew I had to help them and try to make sure everyone was safely out of the house at that moment,” Kane said.
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The fire ultimately destroyed three homes on the block, but no one was seriously injured, according to the report.
Kane finished his 14-hour shift and headed home. But his night wasn’t over yet. While driving home, Kane heard a call about a cardiac arrest in progress. He knew what he had to do.
“I was one street over,” Kane said. “You’re never really off duty.”
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Kane redirected and arrived at the scene along with a Delaware state trooper. Together, they began aiding the victim who survived the cardiac incident.
Finally, his night was over.
“(I was) thankful to be going home. Not only did I get to go home, but everyone else got to go home,” Kane said.