SCOTTVILLE, Mich. — Dramatic bodycam footage has captured the tense moments when Mason County Sheriff’s deputies risked their lives to help residents escape a fire at Glendale Apartments on 3rd Street in Scottville on Monday night.
At approximately 9:50 p.m., emergency crews were called to the scene of a fire in a first-floor apartment. The rapidly spreading flames and thick smoke forced residents on the upper floors to seek refuge on their second-floor balconies. Deputies from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office were the first to arrive on the scene, immediately assessing the situation and coordinating rescue efforts.
One of the most harrowing rescues involved a mother on a second-floor balcony, trapped with her young child. “I need you to hoist down your kid over here,” one deputy shouted, urging the woman to hand her child to safety. The woman, visibly distressed, responded, “I’m not strong, I’m not strong enough.”
The deputy remained calm, responding, “You have to do it,” as he quickly backed up his sheriff’s office truck, positioning it close enough to the building to help with the rescue. Climbing onto the truck’s tailgate, the deputy extended his arms, and with assistance from another deputy and a Michigan State Trooper, he successfully retrieved the child from the balcony.
“Alright, give me your kid,” the deputy said as he reached up, gently reassuring the child, “I got you, sweetie,” before passing her to another officer. Following the child’s safe rescue, the deputy helped the woman climb down from the balcony and onto the truck before moving on to assist others.
The officers continued their efforts, evacuating several other residents from the smoke-filled apartments. Some of the evacuees were treated for minor injuries on-site by emergency medical personnel.
According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, the fire originated in a first-floor apartment and quickly escalated, filling the building with thick smoke. Residents on the second floor had no choice but to retreat to their balconies, unable to exit through the front doors due to the heavy smoke.
In the aftermath of the rescue, local authorities praised the quick and coordinated actions of the deputies and other first responders, highlighting their ability to remain calm and efficient in such a high-pressure situation. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role first responders play in ensuring the safety of their communities.
