San Francisco Cop Rescues Woman from Fire

July 5, 2013
The San Francisco police officer kicked in a door and found the woman on the third floor.

July 05--A San Francisco police officer ran into a burning home in Japantown on Thursday, kicked down a door and carried an elderly woman to safety, authorities said.

Officer Matt Lobre was the first emergency responder to arrive at the fire on the 2000 block of Pine Street at 1:26 p.m., said Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White.

When he pulled up, residents told him there was an elderly woman upstairs. Lobre ran through the smoke and flames to the third floor, kicked in a door and found the woman, who had suffered minor burns, Hayes-White said.

Both Lobre and the woman were taken to a hospital. Lobre was treated for minor injuries, including smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

Lobre, 42, has been on the police force since 1998.

"He was instrumental in saving this woman's life," Hayes-White said. "He was very humble, and said it was all in a day's work. I'm proud of him. If he's looking to change careers, we'll have to pick him up in the Fire Department."

Firefighters contained the Pine Street blaze within 45 minutes.

Will Kane is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: [email protected]

Copyright 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!