GLENWOOD, Iowa — A group of construction workers in Glenwood are being hailed as heroes after they rushed into a burning home on Monday afternoon and saved an entire family — including a young boy who was rescued with the help of a trampoline.
At about 12:30 p.m., John Lewis, Gabe Record, and Damian Pond of Leick Construction spotted heavy smoke and flames coming from a home in a neighborhood where they were working. Hearing desperate screams, the men didn’t hesitate to act.
The trio first ran inside, pulling out two women and a girl. But once outside, they quickly realized that another child was still trapped inside the house — a boy stranded on the second floor.
“When you hear a child in harm’s way, you’ll do what you got to do,” Lewis said.
With smoke pouring from the windows and fire spreading rapidly, Lewis and his coworkers thought fast.
“I grabbed the trampoline, and me and another friend scooted over to the window. It was black with the flames and smoke,” Lewis recalled.
They urged the boy to jump. The child leaped out the window, landing on the trampoline before Lewis pulled him to safety.
“Once he hit the trampoline, I caught him and got him away from the building,” Lewis said. “We knew everyone was out at that point.”
.jpg)
For Record, the escape was harrowing.
“I couldn’t see nothing. It was so smoky... I didn’t know what to do, so I kind of came out the front door,” Record said. “There was an explosion, and I turned sideways, got out. That was that.”
All three men were injured while rescuing the family. Record suffered second-degree burns and was transferred to a burn unit in Lincoln. Pond sustained injuries to his face and eyes.
Despite their injuries, Record brushed aside praise:
“I don’t look at it as being a hero or anything. I just did what any normal person would do.”
On Tuesday, family members returned to the charred home to salvage what little remained. They expressed deep gratitude to the men who risked their lives.
The local fire department has announced plans to honor the three workers for their bravery. Meanwhile, the Glenwood community has begun organizing a donation drive to help the displaced family rebuild their lives.
The rescue not only saved lives but also showcased the courage and selflessness of everyday workers who became first responders in a moment of crisis.
Originally reported by Ron Johnson and Grey News Staff in WILX.
.webp)
