While on patrol during early morning hours, Officer Joshua Klaseus of the Saint Peter, Minnesota, Police Department began to smell smoke. He intensely searched the area in an effort to locate its source. Soon, the officer found smoke billowing from a single-family residence.

Officer Klaseus calmly requested fire department response to the location. Then, he ran to the front door of the home and found it unlocked. Upon opening the door, the officer immediately was overcome by smoke. He began yelling, hoping for a response. Using his flashlight, Officer Klaseus moved further into the residence, but could see only about 8 feet in front of him.

He heard a dog barking and then a female voice. The officer quickly helped the woman outside and asked if anyone else was in the house. She mentioned her son and attempted to reenter. Officer Klaseus told her to stay outside in the yard. He then went back into the residence and saw that flames now had engulfed one wall.

The officer was met near the front door by a person cradling the couple’s infant son. After Officer Klaseus asked if anyone else was in the home, the man quickly said his girlfriend was inside. The officer said that she already was safe outside. When Officer Klaseus reunited the family, he confirmed that everyone was safe. In this short period of time, the home became fully engulfed in fire.