Firefighters Rescue Disabled West Alabama Man Trapped in Burning House

Firefighters in West Alabama rescued a disabled man from a burning home Sunday, the chief of the Green Pond Fire & Rescue service announced this week.

In a Monday press release, Chief Joseph Hall said his department was dispatched to a residence in Woodstock, Alabama on a house fire with on person still inside the home around 1:20 a.m. Sunday.

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Hall said the victim was handicapped and stuck inside while the building burned. In less than 10 minutes, the volunteer fire department entered the structure while the Woodstock Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency aided with fire suppression efforts.

The firefighters did not find anyone on their first search, which was hindered by flames, smoke and toxic gases, but found the victim inside upon their second effort.

The person was removed from the house in a semi-conscious state, Hall said, and crews on the scene immediately began first aid efforts until an ambulance was able to get the patient to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for treatment of their burns and smoke inhalation.

Hall said the victim was reportedly stabilized, conscious and alert Monday.

"We want to acknowledge the outstanding work of those who assisted in the rescue to save a life in our small town," Hall wrote in the press release. "Our crews who work here at Green Pond Fire & Rescue have trained and prepared for these scenarios many times, but in all reality, this isn't an everyday thing you do. Our personnel responded and did an outstanding job."

Hall also thanked the Woodstock Police Department and ALEA for going above and beyond their responsibilities as law enforcement officers to aid the firefighters in getting to the victim before the situation worsened.

He also recognized AMServ EMS, the West Blocton Fire Department, the Bibb County Sheriff's Office and the Bibb County E911 dispatchers for the roles they played in saving the victim's life Sunday.

"These agencies, with their effort, training and dedication all coming together are what provided an outcome like this," the fire chief wrote.

Woodstock is a town of around 2,000 residents that sits along the border between Tuscaloosa County and Bibb County.