THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 10, 1996 TAG: 9608100252
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 33 lines
A police officer on routine duty Thursday rescued an elderly man from a house, dragged burning furniture from the residence and called the rescue squad and Fire Department.
When Officer J.R. Feggans responded to a call about 9 p.m., he thought he was going to check on an intruder at the man's home. But when Feggans arrived at the residence in the 300 block of Lumis Road, he found the door ajar, the house smoky and the elderly resident, Joseph Artis, 66, sitting calmly inside.
Feggans, who was working alone, led Artis out of the house, called the rescue squad and Fire Department and went back inside to drag out a burning sofa and curtains.
``It was out of the norm,'' said Suffolk police public information officer Mike Simpkins.
``We don't expect our men to go back into a burning dwelling. Officer Feggans made the choice, and he may have saved this man's home.''
Artis was taken to Louise Obici Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a lack of oxygen and other illnesses and admitted. He was in the hospital, listed in good condition, Friday.
Feggans was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation and for a burning sensation in his nose and throat, Simpkins said.
The officer later complained of a headache, but he finished his shift.
Simpkins said the cause of the fire was careless smoking.
A lighted cigarette apparently dropped onto the sofa and started the flames.
KEYWORDS: INJURIES FIRE by CNB