Release posted on 08-07-24 at 4:08 PM

On the night of August 5th, around 9:30 p.m., St. Petersburg Police Officers Tyler Martnick and Zharia Smith responded to a hang-up call near Paris Avenue South and 6th Street South. While searching the area, they detected smoke and heard a man's cries for help.

The officers quickly located the source a residence at 660 Paris Ave. S. - engulfed in flames. Inside, a man was trapped in a bedroom. Officer Martnick bravely entered the burning home twice, attempting to find the man's bedroom, but had to retreat both times due to the heat and smoke.

Undeterred, the officers persisted in their rescue efforts. They removed the bedroom window frame and successfully pulled the man to safety. The man suffered severe cuts and burns and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The Fire Department has commended Officers Martnick and Smith for their quick response and rescue of the victim from the burning house.