Deputy Sheriff Rescues Woman And Child Trapped Inside Burning Home

MICRO – A Johnston County deputy sheriff is credited with rescuing a woman and her 5 year-old daughter from a house fire. Around 9:00am today (Wednesday), several fire departments were dispatched to a double wide mobile home fire on Watson Road, off US 301 north of Micro.

The victim called 911 reporting that she and her daughter were trapped in a bedroom and were unable to get past the smoke and flames to reach an exterior door.

Deputy Brennan Rabil with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office was on patrol on US 301 near Bagley Road when the urgent call came in. He was the first person to arrive on the scene.

Deputy Rabil told The Johnston County Report he saw smoke coming from the front door, windows, and roof when he arrived. As he got closer to the home he saw the woman’s face through the bedroom window.

Deputy Rabil attempted to enter the home through the front door but was forced back by the thick smoke.

He rushed to the bedroom window and broke the glass. He pulled the woman and child through the window to safety.

Moments later, fire units from Micro, Selma, and Bethany arrived on the scene. They rescued three dogs that were trapped inside. They also quickly extinguished the flames.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Johnston County Fire Marshal’s Office

The Red Cross is assisting seven people who were displaced by the fire.

After his heroic efforts, Deputy Rabil returned to patrol duties this afternoon to continue to protect and serve the citizens of Johnston County.