The Lead Off

• A baby was safely caught after being dropped from a second-floor window during a house fire in Kalamazoo, Michigan
• A public safety officer guided the mother through the rescue as fire crews responded to the scene
• Authorities say both the mother and child survived and are expected to be OK

KALAMAZOO, MI (WOWO) — A Michigan public safety officer is being credited with helping rescue a mother and infant after the baby was dropped from a burning home during a house fire in Kalamazoo.

Officials with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety tell WXMI officers responded Friday around 4 p.m. after dispatchers reported a woman and her baby were trapped inside the residence. The incident was later captured on body camera video.

Emergency response and lost contact

According to Officer Michael Arnett, dispatchers were initially speaking with the mother before communication was lost as conditions inside the home worsened.

“Dispatch said they lost communication with the mother and the child, so obviously, that makes you worry a little bit,” Arnett said.

Responding officers searched the structure and located the mother at an upstairs window as smoke and fire conditions intensified.

Rescue at the second-floor window

Arnett said he instructed the mother to break the window screen and drop the baby to officers positioned outside in order to expedite the rescue.

“Hey, throw me your kid. Kick out the screen,” Arnett said in body camera footage.

The mother dropped the infant to the officer below, where the baby was safely caught. Officials say the action likely saved the child’s life.

“She had zero hesitation on saving the child first,” Arnett said.

Mother brought to safety

After handing the infant off to another officer, Arnett placed a ladder beneath the window and helped guide the mother out of the burning home.

Arnett said the urgency of the situation left little time for hesitation.

“I got a baby of my own. So, I knew the first thing I wanted to do was get all the occupants out of the house. Property can be replaced. Obviously, lives can’t,” Arnett said.

Outcome and investigation

Authorities say both the mother and child were safely removed from the residence and are expected to recover.

Officials have not released information on the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation by local authorities.

The Takeaway

• A rapidly developing house fire in Kalamazoo required immediate evacuation efforts after a mother and infant became trapped on the upper floor of a residence.
• Officer Michael Arnett directed the rescue effort at the window, where the infant was dropped and safely caught before the mother was assisted down using a ladder.
• Officials confirm both individuals survived the incident, and investigators continue to examine what caused the fire.