Yakima Man Saves Friend From Burning Home

Yakima firefighters say a house fire Monday morning could have turned deadly if it weren't for one man's heroic actions.

Firefighters believe a fire that injured two men in the 700 block of South Seventh Street originated in the area of the fireplace. One of the injured men was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and was listed in critical but stable condition Monday night. No one died in this quick-moving fire, and that's partially thanks to what one man did to save his friend's life.

"It was hot in there," David Siebol said. "Flames were coming out of the window at the time."

Siebol was living in a trailer in the backyard when he awoke to flames and smoke surrounding him. He rushed through the side yard to get to safety, but that's when he heard his handicapped friend screaming for help inside. "He didn't have long," Siebol said. "He only has one leg so we broke the window. I pulled him out head first. Flames were coming out of the window while he was being pulled out at that time."

Two men were taken to the hospital for injuries from the fire but without Seibol's quick actions, it could have been much worse. "Because I had to," Seibol said. "Anybody would have. You know what I mean? It's what you do, you help people get out. Can't leave him in there."

The news isn't all happy though as Seibol and several others have now lost their home.

It's no good. I don't have nowhere to go. Neither do they I don't think. It was my home. It's not anymore.

The flames were so large that it jumped to the house next door before firefighters could get it under control. That home also has some serious damage. Firefighters say the home is a complete loss and will be demolished later this week.