Bradenton Herald, The (FL)

January 8, 2007

BLAZE LEAVES FAMILIES HOMELESS
Robert Napper, Herald Staff Writer

 

MANATEE --- A Southern Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter saved a baby boy overcome by smoke inhalation during a blaze Sunday night that left two families homeless.

 

Just after 8:30 p.m., 20 firefighters arrived at a blaze on the 100 block of 59th Avenue East, finding both sides of the duplex in flames. The two families escaped the fire, according to Southern Manatee Battalion Chief Ricardo Blanco.
Firefighters entered the duplex, but the smoke and flames got so thick Blanco ordered an evacuation of personnel.

 

While fighting the fire from the outside, a woman who lived on one side of the duplex came to a firefighter saying her baby was not breathing.

 

Firefighter Sean Lucas took the baby and began CPR.

 

"The baby was totally unresponsive," said Lucas.

 

Lucas, a seven-year Southern Manatee firefighter, continued to give the baby CPR and brought back the child's breathing and pulse. Lucas then gave the baby to Manatee County Emergency Services and went back to the fire.

 

The child was airlifted to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg in stable condition.

 

Blanco said the blaze destroyed the duplex, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

Hung Phan, whose family owns the duplex, looked on with concern for his tenants.

 

"I heard a baby inhaled smoke," he said. "I hope everything is all right."

 

 

Bay News 9

 

Firefighter saves baby's life

A Manatee County firefighter is credited with saving an infant boy's life.

While responding to a fire at a duplex apartment near 15th Street East, fireman Sean Lucas was approached by a woman whose baby was not breathing. The boy, who had been exposed to the fumes, immediately received CPR from Lucas. The boy began crying moments later.

"This is one of those once in a lifetime career things that happens to people,'' said Lucas. "I just happen to be there doing what I was doing.''

The baby was taken to All Children's Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The fire is still under investigation.