A Huntley firefighter received a Medal of Valor award for his “heroic actions” off-duty when he spotted his neighbor’s home on fire and ran inside to evacuate them in Lake in the Hills.
The incident happened around 2:20 p.m. on June 21 in the 200 block of Stickley Lane in Lake in the Hills.
Huntley Fire Protection District Firefighter-Paramedic Paul Ortiz was off-duty when he realized his neighbor’s home was on fire.
Ortiz, without personal protection gear, ran into the burning home to evacuate the homeowners.
“Due to his quick thinking and disregard for his own safety to save the lives of others, and his heroic actions and unwavering bravery, he was presented the Medal of Valor,” the fire district said.
“We are proud of his hard work and effort, as it embodies what it means to be a Huntley Firefighter,” the district added.
On-duty firefighters arrived to find heavy fire conditions showing from the rear of the two-story home.
The first arriving fire crews deployed a hose line and initiated a fire attack from the rear of the home, fire officials said at the time.
Crews deployed additional hose lines and entered the interior of the home and the neighboring home to prevent the fire from spreading.
The main body of the fire was in the rear of the home on both floors and in the attic, fire officials said. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control.
A neighboring home that was exposed to the heat from the fire sustained non-structural damage.
The house sustained heavy smoke damage and two vehicles in the garage were damaged due to fire exposure.
No injuries were reported and the house was uninhabitable.
Ortiz was presented with the Medal of Valor award during a 100 Club of Illinois ceremony late last month.
He was also recognized in Springfield at the Medal of Honor ceremony for the Firefighter Excellence Award.