See Dramatic Video Of Asbury Park Police, Neighbor Urging Boy, 8, To Jump From Window Of Burning Home

ASBURY PARK, NJ — The city of Asbury Park released these two dramatic videos of an 8-year-old boy who jumped from a burning home Monday, and he was caught by two Asbury Park Police officers, plus a third man who lived nearby.

The two police officers who caught the child are identified as Officer Dewitt Bacon, Officer John Walsh, joined by area resident Joseph Dunbar. All three worked together to safely bring the child to the ground.

The videos were released Tuesday afternoon by the city of Asbury Park. Watch them here:

• Video 1: APPD Body-Worn Camera Footage (MP4)
• Video 2: APPD Body-Worn Camera Footage (MP4)

The fire broke out at 8:44 a.m. at a home on the 500 block of Prospect Avenue: Upon arrival, officers observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. An 8-year-old boy could be seen from a second-floor window.

The boy can be heard screaming "Help!" as officers pulled up.

His exit from the home was blocked because the first floor of the home was fully engulfed in flames, said police. Also, he could only open the window about halfway. The screen got stuck about halfway up. The boy was struggling to squeeze his body out, but the police officers on the grass shouted at him he had to get out.

"Squeeze, squeeze through! Who else is in there?!" an officer shouts.

It is not clear where the boy's parents were.

"I got you, I got you, brother," the officers assure him, as they coaxed the young man to jump.

The officers can also be heard saying they were concerned the boy was going to pass out from smoke inhalation.

Asbury Park Police officers can also be heard repeatedly asking the boy if anyone else was inside the home, which the child appeared to answer, at the end of the video, "no."

The boy and his mother were taken to a nearby hospital. A neighboring family with children also had to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation. None of them were seriously injured.

The Prospect Avenue home was destroyed by the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Monmouth County Fire Marshals.

“Asbury Park Police officers train for fast-moving, dangerous situations, and yesterday’s rescue shows the value of that training and the strength of our community,” said Asbury Park Police Director John Hayes. “I commend Officer Dewitt Bacon, Officer John Walsh, and area resident Joseph Dunbar for their heroic actions in catching the child. All involved displayed courage and bravery — including the 8-year-old juvenile who jumped from the window. I also want to recognize all of the officers and firefighters on scene for their professionalism in keeping our residents safe.”

Original report: Child Jumps From Burning Asbury Park Home, Is Safely Caught By Firefighters (Monday)