Police Officer Enters Burning Building, Saves Woman And Parrot

ISLIP, NY—A Suffolk County Police Officer had to act quickly when he encountered a burning house on Islip Avenue in Islip last week. Nicholas Evangelista didn't have a face mask or fire gear but he ran into the home to help an 82-year-old female resident escape, the Suffolk County Police Department said.

Officer Evangelista was able to get the woman outside, and then he went back into the home to rescue her pet parrot Polly. He checked a third time to make sure no one was inside. Although there was heavy smoke, all three, along with the woman's son, escaped unharmed.

The department thanked the officer for his bravery in a Facebook post.

The woman was evaluated and released from Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.