THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310512
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
A two-year-old boy, two cats, two birds and a dog were rescued from a burning house by three officers, police spokesman Larry Hill reported Tuesday.
Margaret Akers told police, when they arrived just after noon Monday, that everyone was out of the house, but the animals were still inside, Hill said.
She was mistaken. Jason Surdell, 2, had followed Akers back into the house at 1017 Layton St. when she had tried unsuccessfully to rescue the animals and had to retreat because of smoke and heat. He was still there when the officers arrived.
Officers J.T. Evans and J.M. Tolson climbed into the house through a broken window and heard the child crying for help, Hill said. Heavy smoke clouded Evans' vision, but he was able to grab the child and hand him to another officer through the window.
Hill said the child suffered first-degree burns on his back and smoke inhalation. He was taken to Childrens' Hospital of The King's Daughters.
Officers L.R. Hand and Tolson entered the rear of the house and released the dog despite extreme heat and attempts by the fearful animal to bite them, Hill said.
KEYWORDS: FIRES RESCUE INJURIES by CNB