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Fire rescue brings back memories for chief
Bowling Green firefighter reflects after saving woman's life SaturdayDate published: 1/13/2009 BY ELLEN BILTZ Brad Thomas can relate to the woman he saved from a burning home Saturday night. He's been there. The 32-year-old Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department chief rescued Theresa Storke from her burning Coghill Street home late Saturday night. With the help of a fellow firefighter, Thomas pulled Storke out from the dresser that had fallen on her as smoke filled her bedroom so badly that she couldn't breathe. Dressed in only a T-shirt, jeans and pair of Crocs shoes, Thomas climbed a ladder up to the window, where he was eventually able to rescue Storke, a Stafford County teacher and part-time obituary writer for The Free Lance-Star. She was hospitalized Saturday and released yesterday. "I thought we might see her burn to death right there," Thomas said yesterday. He said at first, he couldn't even see the dresser through the smoke, and was scared of losing her to the high temperatures building in the house because she was trapped. 'I know what it's like' Seeing Storke trapped in her bedroom made Thomas, who also works full time as a firefighter at Fort A.P. Hill, reflect on his own struggle in February 2007, when he was the victim of a fire. Almost two years ago, Thomas and another volunteer firefighter got stuck in a Bowling Green home after it burst into flames and the staircase fell out from under them. After getting inside, the fire worsened and they were trapped on the second floor. "I know what it's like to almost be out, but you can't get out," he said, comparing his experience to Storke's. Thomas said he was the first person to arrive at Storke's home Saturday night, after she called 911 to report that she couldn't breathe and couldn't get out of her house. "I pulled up right before the crew who got called," he said. "And I can see her hands hanging out of the window." He said he felt compelled to help her as soon as he saw her, even though he wasn't dressed for the job. After Storke was rescued Saturday night, she was put on a ventilator and sent to Mary Washington Hospital. Storke's brother, Bowling Green Mayor David Storke, said she was sent home from the hospital yesterday and was feeling all right. BOUNCING BACK
Read more stories about Caroline Date published: 1/13/2009
HOORAY FOR BRAD!
(posted by
mandapanda85
, Jan. 13, 2009 4:45 pm)
What a great guy!
Moving ,,,,,,,,,,
(posted by
BLK
, Jan. 13, 2009 2:42 pm)
Geezzzzzzzz,,, I feel Sorry for You,You must be a very Bitter and Negative Person...This Man had already lived through the Hell of being trapped in a fire, but went in and saved a Life, How can you find anything Negative to say about that.
Moving, he saved a woman's life
(posted by
travelin_bone
, Jan. 13, 2009 10:07 am)
Not because it was his job, not because he was obligated to, but because there was someone in dire need. He showed up off the clock, off duty. If you can't just say thanks, shut your pie hole. If YOU were dying at your window and all someone had to do was climb up a ladder and and pull you out, would you still criticize what shoes they were wearing?
instead of looking for negatives
(posted by
My2CentsWorth
, Jan. 13, 2009 7:35 am)
about Caroline, how about just saying "Nice Job, Chief, you're a true hero!"
Top of the line gear
(posted by
AsstChief12
, Jan. 13, 2009 7:16 am)
Caroline has top of the line equipment, the Chief just happen to pull up in his personal truck just ahead of the Engine which brought his gear. We dont have the luxary in Bowling Green to have a Chiefs car or SUV like many other departments but we do have top of the line equipment.
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