Watch CBS News

Weymouth Firefighter Gives Mask To Mother, Baby During Apartment Fire Rescue

WEYMOUTH (CBS) -- Weymouth firefighter Gary Walsh says when it comes to rescuing someone, "you do whatever it takes until you physically can't go anymore".

He's being credited with making a good call as heavy fire and smoke engulfed a Weymouth apartment building Tuesday.  He and fellow firefighters heard a woman yelling for help.

"We couldn't see our hand in front of our face, it was pitch black," said Walsh.

When firefighters first arrived they had reports of people trapped in the basement but couldn't find anyone.  When they heard these cries for help they had no idea where they were coming from.

weymouth2
Weymouth firefighter Gary Walsh rescued a mother and baby from this burning apartment complex. (WBZ)

"We were just trying to get the location of where she was, couldn't tell if she was above or below," said Lt. Walter Langley.

Walsh says instinct kicked in to head up the stairs to the third floor, knowing there were other responders on the second floor to check those apartments.  When he reached the top of the stairs he made contact through the smoke.

"I couldn't see her at first, but I felt her arm or shoulder and pulled her close to me.  I noticed a baby on her shoulder so I pulled the mask off my face and stuck it on their face."

He knew his mask would be their lifeline providing needed oxygen as he pulled the mother and her young son from the burning building.

"I couldn't breathe at all, I couldn't see.  I could only imagine how hard it was for the baby and the mother.  My goal was to get them out of the building as fast as possible."

Walsh says it's one of the closest rescue calls of his career, amazing the two were still conscious when he got to them.

"To be the person somebody calls and says 'help', and you're the person that helps them, it's pretty rewarding," he said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it's believed to have started somewhere outside and raced up the building and into the attic.  Residents in 26 units have been displaced for now.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.