Two police officers are heroes after rescuing a pair of children from an apartment fire.
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The members of the Chatham County Police Department caught two kids who were dropped by their mother from the balcony of the building.
The Fire Happened on Sunday Morning
The police department shared the officers' heroics in a social media post. Authorities responded to the fire at Georgetown Oaks Apartments on King George Boulevard around 4 a.m. local time on April 12.
When officers Brandon Lowe and Thomas Velte arrived at the building, the upper floors were engulfed in flames.
"They spotted a mother with her two children on an upper floor balcony," the post said. "The mother signaled for the officers to catch her children, and dropped them down to the officers who caught them safely."
Once the children were out of harm's way, they were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The Officers Were Recognized for Their Bravery
Shortly after the daring rescue, the fire department arrived on the scene. Police report that first responders rescued five people from the apartment blaze.
The fire destroyed almost the entire apartment complex. According to the post, the State Fire Marshal is reportedly investigating the incident.
Later that day, the police department posted again to honor the officers' heroic efforts.
"Just 13 hours after catching two children dropped to safety by their mother from a burning apartment building, Officer Thomas Velte and Officer Brandon Lowe are back on duty tonight with the rest of our B Watch," it read.
It added, "This is the part of police work that is often forgotten — the quick turnaround and return to duty even after the most difficult of nights and heroic of moments. But, it is the reality of first responders in all fields.
"B Watch gets their well-deserved 'weekend' when their shift wraps up just before dawn tomorrow.
"As always, we are proud to serve."
