Bodycam video shows officers rushing into burning Upper Merion Township apartment

Friday, February 21, 2020
UPPER MERION TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police bodycam video shows the moments officers rushed into a burning Upper Merion Township home last month.

The fire tore through the Kingswood Apartments on January 29.

Police officers were first on the scene, and their bodycam video shows the smoky scene as they rushed in to help residents escape to safety.

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"We went in and we started checking, calling out to people and hopefully they heard our voice," Sgt. David Gershanic told Action News last month.

Gershanic and seven others officers were first to respond.

Officer Nick Vuotto said, "There were occasions where we did have doors that were locked and we did have to go through the doors to clear the apartments to make sure no one was in them."

Firefighters battle massive blaze in Upper Merion Township


Steven Devenney with EMS also ran inside

"We were kicking doors in and telling people, 'Get out, there's a fire!'" he said.

Fourteen people were hurt, including five police officers, who were back on the job just days later.
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