RACINE, Wis. — Racine firefighters executed a dramatic rescue Tuesday from a second-story balcony. The man, reported to be partially paralyzed, was hoisted over the balcony by one firefighter and carried down a ladder by another.
According to a report in the Journal Times, neighbors tried unsuccessfully to rescue the 63-year-old man before firefighters arrived. The man was taken to the burn unit at a Milwaukee hospital.
Racine Fire Department officials told the paper that the fire was started by careless use of smoking materials.
There were no reported firefighter injuries.
The following photos show the dramatic rescue:
Copyright 2012, Gregory Shaver, The Journal Times
A bystander calls for help as Pete Lui is trapped on the balcony of his apartment in Racine, Wisconsin.
Firefighters place ladders against the burning balcony.
One firefighter lifts the man over the balcony to another firefighter on the ladder.
A firefighter carries the man down the ladder to rescuers.