At around 10:40 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024, Officer Marek Mason and Recruit Officer Evan Dowling were in the area of South Hopkins Street and Lombard Street when they were approached by a citizen who notified the Officers that there was a possible fire down Lombard Street.
Officers responded to the area and found heavy smoke and fire coming from a residence in the 600 block of Lombard Street.
Officers notified the Communications Division to dispatch the New Iberia Fire Department.
Bystanders informed the Officers there were two individuals trapped inside of the residence.
Officer Mason made entry into the front of the residence but was quickly overcome by smoke. Officer Mason then made his way around to the back of the residence and made entry. Officer Mason located an unresponsive female victim. The victim was carried out of the residence. Sergeant Jacob Richard and Officer Mason began performing life-saving measures.
Officer Dowling went back into the residence making sure there were no additional occupants. After searching, Officer Dowling exited and joined Sergeant Richard and Officer Mason in performing life-saving measures.
Because the victim’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, Sergeant Richard made the decision to transport the victim to Iberia Medical Center.
Sergeant Richard, Officer Mason, and Officer Dowling transported the victim in a police unit, while continuing life-saving measures.
Once arriving at Iberia Medical Center, medical care was turned over to Emergency Room staff. The victim was admitted for treatment and is listed in critical condition.
We would also like to recognize the two Communications Officers, who, behind the scenes, worked quickly to dispatch assets to the scene and notify appropriate personnel.