Off-Duty Police Officer Rescues Residents from North End Fire
An off-duty Boston Police officer was driving near the North End late Tuesday afternoon when she spotted smoke.
Officer Shana Cottone told reporters “I did what any officer would do.’’
Shana Cottone drove toward the smoke and was the first to arrive at the burning four-story building, which had flames shooting out of its upper floors, according to Boston Police.
“I knew I needed to go in to make sure everybody was out,’’ Cottone told reporters later that night.
Cottone, who was treated for smoke inhalation, evacuated several homeowners and a family pet, police said.
“I think I did what any police officer would’ve done,’’ Cottone said. “This is why we do the job. When people need help, we respond.’’
At the 2013 Boston Marathon, Cottone was 50 feet away from the second bomb and tended to survivor Roseann Sdoia at the scene, according to The Boston Globe.
On Tuesday, a firefighter was treated for burns to the hands.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to police. It started at about 4 p.m. and was extinguished less than an hour later.
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