In San Bernardino, California, two firefighters heroically rescued a 23-year-old woman with cerebral palsy from a burning home, acting swiftly despite the extreme danger. The fire broke out in a single-story home around 11:15 a.m. on Monday. When firefighters from the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District arrived, family members urgently informed them that a young woman with “access and functional needs” was trapped inside.
Firefighter Jesse Quiceno recalled the distress of the woman’s mother, who was frantically screaming for help. Understanding the urgency, Quiceno and his captain, Nic Turner, made the split-second decision to enter the home immediately, despite the intense flames. They crawled through the burning structure with zero visibility, as the extreme heat melted their protective gear and everything around them.
Turner described the hazardous conditions, stating that the smoke was so thick it reached the floor, making it impossible to see. As they navigated through the hallway, Turner struggled to locate the doorknob to a back room but managed to find it by chance. Upon opening the door, they heard a faint moan from the bed and quickly found the young woman lying there.
“I grabbed her and told her, ‘I got you, and I’m not gonna let you go,’” Turner said, ensuring her safety as they began their escape.
Meanwhile, San Bernardino County Fire Capt. Greg Soria and his crew had just arrived and also heard the mother’s cries. She directed them to her daughter’s room, prompting them to break windows to create a safe exit path. This allowed Quiceno, Turner, and the young woman to escape the worsening blaze.
Turner emphasized the significance of the successful rescue, stating that while firefighters often experience tragic outcomes, moments like these make the job meaningful.
The 23-year-old remained hospitalized in serious but stable condition as of Tuesday. Although the fire destroyed the family’s home, they expressed immense gratitude that everyone survived, including their family dog, which firefighters also rescued. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
