Newtown Officer Helps Save Children, Pets From Burning Home: Report

WATERBURY, CT — A Newtown police officer was one of four men who ran towards a burning building in order to save a group of six people in Waterbury Sunday morning, according to multiple reports including the Waterbury Observer. Newtown police officer Will Chapman and members of the nearby Walnut Hill Community Church congregation helped save four children and two adults from the roof of the burning home in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of the city.

According to the report, Chapman was joined by church elder Tim McCandless, congregation member Tony Boccanfuso, and Luke Armory who was identified as a recent father. As one of the men climbed up to reach the victims, Chapman received the children as they were freed. To sign up for Newtown breaking news alerts and more, click here.

"We are very fortunate to have [Chapman] as an officer with this agency," said Newtown Police Chief James Viadero. "I am honored to work with him on a day to day basis. It's officers like him that truly represent all that is good in law enforcement."

Fox 61 reports witnesses on scene said that pets were saved from the roof as well. The Waterbury Observer reports that there were two dogs and a kitten.

A gofundme page has been created in support of the fire victims, and the page has raised $1,250 of its $10,000 goal in three days. You can click here to view the page.

"Newtown Police Officer Will Chapman is an officer who exemplifies professionalism and courage," said Viadero. "He continually represents this department in an exemplary manner."

Read more from the Waterbury Observer and Fox 61 here.

Image via Gofundme