EDMOND, Okla. -- A man trapped in an upstairs garage apartment was thankful Wednesday for Edmond firefighters who pulled him out a window and carried him down a ladder as smoke filled his home.
Thomas Gauthier, 61, said he passed out while hanging out of his upstairs window at 230 E Second St.
"I'm a pretty big old guy," Gauthier said. "I am glad they could get me out."
Gauthier had lived in the apartment for only a month when the 6:40 a.m. Tuesday fire started in the downstairs apartment. Gauthier said he smelled the smoke as he got out of bed.
He was treated at a hospital and released. He had a headache from the smoke inhalation, Gauthier said Wednesday.
Fire Maj. Kelly Lewis said the fire started from clothing and papers that had fallen behind the refrigerator downstairs. He estimated damage at less than $10,000.
Gauthier told the 911 dispatcher someone was also trapped in the downstairs apartment, but firefighters said the downstairs resident was not at home when the fire broke out.
Gauthier said he didn't realize the apartment didn't have a smoke alarm.
Firefighters are reminding people if they don't have a working smoke alarm to get one.
Copyright 2012 - The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
