Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Firefighters knocked down a blaze in the 300 block of South Griffith Park Drive in Burbank December 29, 2014
The Burbank police officer, who probably saved the life of an elderly man in that dramatic fire rescue yesterday, has been identified. Officer Brent Fekety arrived on the scene shortly after 9 a.m. with several other members of the Burbank PD. The home at 326 South Griffith Park Drive was on fire. Next door neighbor, Bob Rosen, saw Fekety go into action “… police officer kicked in the front door and dragged a person out.”
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Bob Rosen saw neighbor rescued from burning house by police officer in Burbank December 29, 2014
The victim was the homeowner, whom Rosen had known for more than 40 years. Edward Lattner, 77, was taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center suffering burns and from smoke inhalation. Officer Fekety reportedly went to the hospital as a precaution, but returned to duty as soon as he was cleared by medical personnel. Fekety is a former cadet who has been a member of the Burbank PD for six and a half years.
By 9:30 a.m. the fire was out and Burbank firefighters were mopping up. Burbank Deputy Fire Marshall, Jorge Martinez, says the fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damages to the structure and contents. The cause is still under investigation.
