March 21--WINDSOR -- Two police officers rescued a mother and daughter from their burning home early Tuesday.
Officers Thomas Messina and David Sanchez used a step ladder to save the residents, said police Capt. Tom LePore.
"We really are happy with their actions," LePore said Tuesday afternoon. "It's a very special thing that they did."
The fire at the raised ranch on Grand Avenue was reported about 3:15 a.m., Fire Chief William Lewis said.
The two victims, Casandia Marshall, and her daughter, Dacian Levy, 9, were taken to an area hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, he said. No working smoke detectors were found inside the home.
The women are lucky to be alive, said the chief, who credited the officers with saving their lives.
Smoke and heat damaged most of the home. It was not immediately clear whether it is livable.
According to LePore, Messina was the first to arrive at the burning house, which he could see glowing as he pulled onto the street.
"He could see two heads sticking out the window," LePore said of Messina.
Messina grabbed a step ladder and climbed to the top. Sanchez arrived and helped secure it. Sanchez was joined by Tom Dillon, assistant chief of the Windsor Fire Department and police Sgt. Bill Priester.
It took coaxing to get the two out because the step ladder was only five feet tall and didn't reach the window, LePore said.
One at a time, they dropped into the extended arms of Messina, who is about 5 feet 10.
"There was a lot of trust on everybody's part," LePore said.
Staff reporter Samaia Hernandez contributed to this report.
Copyright 2012 - The Hartford Courant, Conn.
