Police Save 7 People From Christmas Morning Blaze

A group of Cranston police officers working on Christmas Eve saved the lives of multiple families living in a Standish Avenue house after a fire erupted early Friday morning.

The house was a total loss and one person suffered serious cuts to his arms after jumping out of a glass window to escape the blaze. But thanks to the efforts of Cranston police and firefighters, ultimate tragedy was avoided.

According to police, officers responded to the house at about 1:34 a.m. for a report of a fire.

Offices arrived and found the house filled with smoke. They also found a first floor resident had jumped through a glass window.

Third shift officers Brad Duclos, John Quaranto, Austin Smith and Michael Long entered the house and forced entry into four apartments “alerting and removing seven residents and several cats from the house,” police said in a post on the department’s Facebook page.

The residents who were woken up by police were unaware of the fire, which was rapidly spreading.

Once everyone was out, Long and Duclos began to treat the injured resident by applying a tourniquet to his severely injured arm to control the bleeding.

Police then evacuated a neighboring house.

“Sadly, the house was a complete loss due the fire. We are truly happy to report that no officers were injured and there was only one reported injury from the residents of the house,” police said. “Job Well Done to Officers Duclos, Quaranto, Smith and Long! Due to their bravery and quick thinking numerous lives were saved on Christmas morning. These officers bravely entering the burning home and alerted the residents; but also recognized the severity of the injuries of the injured man and gave him immediate treatment.”

Photos courtesy: Cranston Police Department and Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmer1216)