MT. VERNON, Mo. – A southern Missouri deputy’s quick-thinking actions Wednesday helped save a homeowner who was asleep during a house fire.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office credits deputy Derek Perkins for his life-saving response.
While patrolling the streets of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Perkins noticed heavy smoke coming from a home. He later found a vehicle on fire under a carport, with flames rapidly spreading to the house.
Seeing the parked vehicle, Perkins suspected someone might be inside. Moments later, he entered the home and found the homeowner asleep in her bedroom, unaware of the imminent danger. Perkins woke her up and guided her to safety.
Fire crews arrived at the home shortly after, extinguishing the vehicle fire and containing the damage to just a small portion of the home.
“Without Deputy Perkins’ quick actions, this house fire could have ended in the worst way,” said the Mt. Vernon Sheriff’s Office via a news release. The sheriff’s office described Perkins as a “true hero” for his actions.