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Dallas paramedic rescues man from burning apartment

The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2008 The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — A Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedic rescued an elderly man from his burning second-floor apartment Tuesday evening, officials said. The man, who is in his mid-70s, was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Michael Gibbs and another paramedic were in an ambulance responding to an unrelated call in the area when they were pointed toward the blaze in the 9100 block of Forest Lane, said Sherrie Lopez, a Dallas Fire-Rescue spokeswoman.

Before fire engines arrived, Mr. Gibbs, a five-year veteran, put on his firefighting gear and rescued the man from his second-floor apartment.

“This is confirmation of why we carry our firefighting clothes on the ambulance,” Ms. Lopez said.

The two-alarm blaze damaged two apartments, and several more units suffered smoke and water damage, she said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.