House explosion rescue

A child and several others were rescued after a house explosion that was caused by natural gas.

[randyragon]

I am so glad Officer Lt Kevin Van Kley showed up. After helping carry out the babies grandmother and her yelling "Where's the baby, where's the baby" I went back in. Yelled out hello many times for anyone buried to hear and call out, then the baby started crying. I was on the wrong side of a wall and had to punch thru and pull it past me to get to the spot of the crying. I threw to the side a part of the roof and dug down in the debris to find a large heavy door all the while yelling "HELP, HELP, HELP" to let others know I found someone. The door still had about 300 lbs on it when I lifted it up and found her. Her right leg was under a long 2x4 pinning it down. I tried picking it up while holding the door and couldn't do both. The fire was getting closer and no one was hearing my yelling. I could hear the sirens coming. If the fire got any closer I was going to get down on top of her and just keep yelling as I knew the firemen could at least save her then. A tunnel of heat was hitting my left hand as I tried to increase my voice volume. Then I could see, who I think was one of the family members, crawling toward me and at the same moment Kevin came running over the top of the debris and got there right next to me. I told him we needed a prybar which he, being up higher and better able to be heard, yelled for. Because he could put everything into it, he was able to lift the 2x4 without a bar and get her out. He then handed her off to another officer. Because I had put my feet down lower for a better hold on the door, I couldn't get out and thankfully Kevin turned around and helped me get out. Then we heard the yelling about someone else being found. Kevin got to the roof and directed others to lift while I and four others lifted and carried the babies mother out. I am so proud of all the neighbors that took the risk to help in an emergency and the officers and firemen. So appreciative I live in a community that would do whatever it takes. Thanks to you all.