Police rescue 6, including baby, from house fire

FRANKFORT, Ind. — Video released by police shows officers rescuing a baby — one of six people caught in a house fire early Monday in Frankfort.

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Authorities were called just after 2 a.m. by a person who said they were on the second floor of a home that had caught fire with no way to escape, police said. The caller said a baby was with them and having trouble breathing.

Responding authorities found heavy smoke and flames shooting out of the front of the home, police said. During an appearance Friday on “Good Morning America,” Jacob Neal said he rushed his family, including his 7-month-old daughter, into a bedroom after he opened a door and “got hit in the face with the smoke.”

“Panic just set in right away,” he said.

Sgt. Andrew Snyder and Officers Freddy Martinez and Madison Douglass responded within one minute of getting the emergency call, according to the police. Video released by authorities shows the officers working to save Neal and his family.

“We’re coming. We’re coming,” Douglass can be heard yelling as Snyder gets on a ladder to survey the situation. Afterward, he moves the ladder to a second-floor window.

“Can I have your kid? Can I have your baby?” he can be heard asking.

“Please don’t drop her,” Neal says as he passes his daughter through the window in her car seat. “Please.”

“I won’t,” Snyder responds. “I got her.”

Police Capt. Evan Hall said in a statement that the officers helped six people get to safety in the fire “under extreme stress and life-threatening conditions.” Hall nominated the group for medals of valor for their efforts.

“All officers displayed heroic efforts in their quick actions during this extreme and life-threatening incident,” Deputy Chief Cesar Muñoz said.

The exact cause of the fire remained unclear Friday. Authorities continue to investigate.