Retired Cincinnati District Chief Saves His Own Life When House Catches Fire
Instincts kicked in when John Carson realized the front porch of his house was ablaze.
"As windows broke and smoke set in, he fell back on his training. "You know how the fire behaves, where it's going to go or supposed to go. I said it's time to get out, and I grabbed the dog by the collar and dragged her down the basement steps," he told WKRC.
He knows a thing or two about fire behavior as he spent nearly 30 years with the Cincinnati Fire Department, retiring as a district chief.
Carson and his son's dog escaped through a basement door with downed power lines and a large propane tank dangerously close. He then crawled yards away to be safe.
Christopher Day, the next door neighbor went to investigate after seeing a glow through the trees. He called 9-1-1.
"He saved his own life," Day said. "I was happy for that."
The house that Carson, 83, and his family built was destroyed.
"I would like to get my retirement badge from the city. That's up on the second floor somewhere."
About the Author
Susan NicolSusan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.