Several Hobart first responders recently were honored for their heroic actions during an apartment fire, saving the lives of sleeping residents and that of one of their own.

No one was seriously injured in the early morning blaze, which occurred at the Lake in the Woods Apartment complex on May 14.

But the outcome could have been different, police Capt. Greg Viator said at a recent City Council meeting, reading from a newsletter written by police Chief Rick Zormier.

“The timing of the fire occurring when most are home and asleep only exacerbated the emergency,” Zormier wrote.

He told how police officers saw the complex in flames with heavy smoke upon arrival at the scene and immediately went in to alert residents.

“The smoke was too intense” for two officers to enter the last building, Zormier wrote.

He said Officer Andres Bustos went to his vehicle to get his SWAT gas mask, then entered the building along with Officer Erica Kelley.

“The two of them kicked in doors and brought several people out of the burning building along with a pet dog, They were responsible for saving the lives of several people who were asleep and unaware of the danger,” Zormier wrote.

Firefighter Lloyd Besaw was also singled out for commendation.

Fire Chief Brian Kerr told how Besaw picked up fellow firefighter Isa Esquivel and took him down three flights of stairs to safety after the roof collapsed on them.

Rich St. Myers, president of Hobart Professional Firefighters Association Local 1641, said Esquivel was knocked unconscious and Besaw was dazed when the roof collapsed.

Kerr said Besaw had been on the second floor looking for occupants, then went to the third floor to assist another crew.

“The roof became unstable and a portion came down on (Besaw and Esquivel),” Kerr said.

“Lloyd was checked out quickly and went back to the apartment next to that one, which was also on fire at the time. There was another collapse. Lloyd was taken to the hospital this time and released,” St. Myers said.

“Lloyd’s actions were above and beyond,” St. Myers said.

Others given lifesaving awards for their actions in the fire include Art Azcona, Ryan Snedecor, Cpl. Dave Olson and Reserve Officer Lino Maggio, a city councilman.

Viator said this is the third lifesaving award Officer Ryan Snedecor, Mayor Brian Snedecor’s son, has received in a year.

St. Myers thanked the mayor and the City Council for recognizing the first responders, calling their actions heroic.

“This renews our commitment to continue to make strides to improve on safety in any way we can,” St. Myers said.

The apartment fire caused an estimated $1 million in damages, not counting personal belongings, according to Kerr. Sixteen families were displaced.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.