Dramatic body camera footage shows a rescue attempt by an Illinois State Police officer during a serious house fire.
Just before 1 PM on September 11th, the first responder arrived to find someone trapped inside as flames billowed from the back of the home, according to the Aurora Police Department.
In the released video, Officer Michael Illy breaches the front door. Smoke envelops the inside of the house as he activates his alarm, searching for any signs of life before locating Oakley, a friendly four-year-old American Staffordshire terrier, behind a pet gate.
The officer managed to unlock the gate and grabbed for Oakley’s collar; however, the spirited pup darted down the hallway.
Notably, the dog cleverly led the officer to the kitchen, where his leash hung by the back door. Oakley stayed still, almost as if he was waiting patiently for the leash to be retrieved.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and it turns out no one else was in the home at the time.
“We take pride in how our officers responded in this situation,” stated Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas. “Their swift action made a real difference, and being able to reunite families with their pets is always rewarding.”
A preliminary investigation indicated that the fire started in the attic, with no signs of foul play detected.
The homeowners were advised to seek temporary housing, but they expressed immense gratitude for the safe return of their beloved dog.
“He’s an active dog who enjoys playing and wrestling,” one homeowner shared. “He loves sniffing around, snores when he sleeps, enjoys sunbathing, and absolutely adores peanut butter. We are incredibly thankful to the Aurora Police Department for saving our sweet dog.”
