Alert Truck Driver Saves Sleeping Worker From Fire At Warehouse
MIAMI (CBS4) - A Waste Management truck diver is being hailed a hero after alerting authorities of an early morning warehouse fire in , saving the sleeping guard inside.
Fire officials say the blaze sparked at an industrial warehouse at 13240 SW 131st Street around 5 a.m. At the time, Waste Management truck driver Osnel Hernandez was servicing the warehouse and noticed smoke heavy smoke coming from the building. Hernandez, who had been trained in Waste Management's Waste Watch program, immediately called 911 and his supervisor, which was protocol of the program.
"I just did what everybody would do if you see smoke coming out of the house or the building," said Hernandez. "I believe everybody would call the police."
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade Police responded to the scene, saving a sleeping employee inside. Multiple fire trucks were needed to battle the blaze.
"Our national Waste Watch program, which we launched in Miami-Dade County just three months ago, prepares our drivers to be an extra set of eyes and ears for local police, fire departments and emergency services in our communities," said Dawn McCormick, Community Affairs Manager for Waste Management. "Osnel Hernandez was trained in the program and did exactly the right thing in being aware of his surroundings and alerting emergency personnel to the smoke and fire. We are very proud of his actions and pleased that he was in the right place at the right time to prevent a tragedy."
The condition of the sleeping worker has not been released. Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.
