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Herriman Journal

Herriman resident and off-duty police officer saves the day after battling a house fire

Jun 02, 2023 11:10AM ● By Lizzie Walje

One typical Saturday afternoon in April, Granite School District police officer Philip Alfonso was taking advantage of his day off to run some errands. Little did he know, his day was about to drastically shift course. 

Following the conclusion of his errands, Alfonso headed home. As he approached his destination, it didn’t take long for him to notice a billowing cloud of smoke coming from somewhere nearby. He followed the smoke to nearby Sentinel Ridge Boulevard and 14300 South in Herriman. There he encountered the culprit of the smoke—an attached garage on fire. 

“It was just black with dark heavy smoke,” Alfonso said. “The garage was already starting to meltdown; the flames were really heavy and there was nobody on the street just yet. Judging by the nature of the fire, the fire had been going on for a while, but I doubt anyone was aware of it because it had started in the garage.”

Fortunately, Alfonso’s reflexes instantly kicked in. Citing his police training as the catalyst, Alfonso dove headfirst into the action where he was met with popping noises and small explosions originating from the garage. He then went through the front door of the attached townhome and made entry. 

Alfonso identified himself as police but didn’t initially see anyone in the home. That is until a man in his 30s, who Alfonso described as being in a state of confusion, appeared at the top of the stairs. The man then came to the foot of the stairs before opening the door to the attached garage where, he too, witnessed the smoke. 

The man quickly went back up the stairs, informing Alfonso as he did, that his son and/or roommate may be in the house. Alfonso followed the man up the stairs and verified that no one else was present. 

“There was lots of smoke, and it was really hot, and I told the man, ‘We’re leaving, we’re getting out,’” Afonso recalled. He then helped escort the man out of the house, before leaving him in the temporary care of some neighbors. Subsequently, Alfonso called 911 dispatch and gave the exact location and address of the fire. 

Alfonso quickly noticed that the fire was rapidly engulfing the contents of the garage. “All of a sudden the garage just exploded,” he said, thankful that he and the man had made it out prior to sustaining any severe injuries. “Right as I got him out of the house, the second floor collapsed. Had I not arrived when I did and helped that man out of the house, it’s likely he wouldn’t have made it out alive.”

Alfonso remained on the scene until firefighters arrived and immediately started battling the inferno. Shortly after the explosion of the garage, but prior to the arrival of the firefighters, the second story of the house collapsed. Alfonso was simultaneously treated on scene, before he was eventually transported to the hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation.  

As Alfonso received necessary care, he took a moment to reflect on the realities of his job and the responsibility that comes with working in his position. 

“I know what my job means, and I know what it entails, but nobody can prepare you until you actually experience what it means to do something for someone else and that your life might be on the line. It enlightened me knowing what my job means and I’m honored to do it,” he said.

Fortunately, back at the scene, no major injuries were reported, and the fire was contained thanks to the responding crew. An alum of Skyline High School class of 2014, Officer Alfonso has been working with the Granite District’s Police Department for two years. He was inspired to join the force after citing the strong influence of his School Resource Officer during his time as a student. λ

NeuroHealth

 

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