Eyewitness recalls Fresno police officer’s rescue attempt in Tower District fire
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- Officer saw smoke, drove to Tower District home and attempted a rescue.
- Officer broke a second-story window, inhaled smoke and was taken to hospital.
- Firefighters rescued an 87-year-old woman; fire remains under investigation.
Just before 5 p.m. Sunday, a Fresno police officer spotted black smoke coming from a home in the Tower District .
The officer quickly drove to the scene and tried to assist anyone inside the burning house.
Witness Genaro Hernandez, who recorded video of the events, said he heard a loud pop from a window moments before smoke poured from the home near Belmont Avenue and Fulton Street.
Hernandez ran toward the property along with others, including the officer .
He described how the officer climbed a ladder on the side of the house, trying to reach the second story. Searching for a way in, she broke a window, but was quickly overwhelmed by heavy smoke and later shouted for bystanders to get back.
“She tried to facilitate helping the people get out of the building,” Fresno police Lt. Justin Hoagland said. “Fortunately, she did not enter the building since she did not have the fire protection equipment that firefighters use. Still, while close to the home, she inhaled a significant amount of smoke. She was taken to the hospital as a precaution but was later released in stable condition.”
An 89-year-old woman was later rescued from the house by firefighters and taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition.
Hernandez, who has known the woman for three years since opening a boxing gym across the street, described her as strong and said he wanted to help but was kept back by the flames. He expressed relief that she was rescued and offered his hopes for her recovery.
The fire remains under investigation, according to fire officials.
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 9:50 AM.
