In the early morning on Tuesday, March 5, a fire engulfed a home in Harris County, Texas. Deputy Roberto Martinez was the first to respond to the scene, where his body cam captured heart-pounding footage of the 10-year veteran rescuing a grandmother from the blaze.
Deputy Roberto Martinez ran inside a burning trailer home last night and saved a woman. You’re a true hero! #HouNews https://t.co/Q2Wd6GfsLm— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) 1551816156.0
By the time Martinez arrived, the front door was completely engulfed in flame and most of the family had escaped. Five adults and two children lived in the home and all were accounted for except for one: grandmother Eloisa Martinez, who was "trapped in the darkness and thick smoke."
@ABC Awesome job!— Lea Cecilia (@Lea Cecilia) 1551962068.0
She told ABC 13:
"I was scared, I was scared. I just didn't know how I was going to get out."
@ABC @rtv6 Amazing!— PlatinumStarr16 (@PlatinumStarr16) 1551976971.0
With some help from a nearby family member, Martinez managed to find the room the grandmother was most likely in and break the window. Once he did, however, he found a dresser blocking the way:
"It had to be at least six feet tall because it was up there, it was probably covering the entire window."
@ABC Well done Deputy Martinez, very well done.— Ann (@Ann) 1551970804.0
Eloisa describes the deputy pushing over the dresser and saving her life:
"He broke the window and I had a cabinet there in the front, and so he pushed it over and I was able to crawl through and get to the window."
@ABC Another hero added to my list.— Lady (@Lady) 1551968506.0
If Martinez had not arrived and taken immediate action, the grandmother believes she likely would have died:
"If he wouldn't have come when he did, I would probably be passed out on the ground, on the floor."
@ABC Another life saved thank you— fisherman (@fisherman) 1551962870.0
Both Eloisa and Martinez were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, but both were released without incident and later met again to say hello. Despite his role in Eloisa's rescue, Martinez believes his actions were part of his job:
"I was just doing what I have to do. Anyone of us would have done it."
@ABC Great job Deputy Roberto Martinez.— STYLE (@STYLE) 1551931073.0
Though Eloisa amde it out ok, her family lost everything they had in the fire. A GoFundMe to help them rebuild their lives has begun—you can donate here!
Incredible job by @HCSOTexas Deputy Roberto Martinez whose quick actions saved the life of a local resident overnig… https://t.co/N8ARJK7KNc— Major County Sheriffs of America (@Major County Sheriffs of America) 1551839420.0
As the body cam video shows, Deputy Roberto Martinez didn't hesitate to run toward the burning trailer. #hero… https://t.co/Nj63vVwGPB— Rekha Muddaraj (@Rekha Muddaraj) 1551821282.0