MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — For many first responders, there is rarely time to think when an incident takes place and no time to think of the potential dangers.
For one Miami-Dade Police officer, jumping in and acting immediately likely saved the life of a family living near a potentially serious fire taking place.
Police body cam video released showed the scene early Tuesday morning outside a home in the Westchester area of Miami-Dade County, where Officer Roland Garcia spotted the fire inside a shed and alerted the family in a nearby home just before 4 a.m.
“That night, I was sleeping and I heard they were knocking on all the windows shouting to get out quickly,” said Mayra Menendez, who was one of those that got out safely. “He was the one that got me out and thanks to him I’m here talking to you.”
While on routine patrol, Officer Roland Garcia observed and smelled heavy smoke in the area of SW 24 Street and SW 92 Avenue. He searched the area and located the fire. Watch his body cam footage as he assisted in evacuating the residences while @MiamiDadeFire responded. pic.twitter.com/qRNoxEXqV5
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) January 15, 2020
Courtesy of our news partner at NBC Miami