A Navy veteran sprinted into a DeLand house swallowed by flames this afternoon and helped pull a young girl and the family dog to safety before firefighters could get there. A DeLand police officer and a Volusia County sheriff’s deputy who rushed in to help were treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burns, and the child was also taken for medical care. Officials say everyone involved is expected to recover. Fire crews later returned to the house to hunt for hotspots after the blaze left heavy smoke damage throughout the interior.
Neighbor’s camera caught the chaos
Surveillance video from a nearby home shows flames bursting from a house on Cascade Falls Lane while the girl’s mother waits outside. The veteran, who asked not to be identified, ran into the burning home before emergency crews arrived and came out carrying both the child and the family dog, the mother told reporters. The sequence and early details were reported by FOX 35 Orlando.
First responders hurt, home heavily damaged
DeLand police officers and a Volusia County sheriff’s deputy entered the house to assist and were later evaluated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burns. Officials said the veteran also went for a medical check but was not seriously injured. Photos released by firefighters show charred ceilings and soot‑covered walls inside the home.
State Fire Marshal on the case
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to determine how the fire started and where it began, and DeLand police said they expect to release body‑camera footage of the rescue as the investigation moves forward, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Neighbors hail a split‑second decision
Neighbors described a frantic scene in the cul‑de‑sac but credited the fast action that kept the girl and the dog alive. Officials have not released any names while investigators work to piece together exactly what happened.
What investigators look for next
When the State Fire Marshal’s Bureau responds to a house fire, its Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations can identify the origin and cause and provide forensic support to local agencies. According to the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bureau, investigators may bring in specialized teams and evidence analysis for more complex scenes.
