Deputy honored for heroic acts
SANDPOINT — Bonner County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Deal is being commended for helping to save the lives of a Ponderay family who were trapped by a structure fire last month.
“This person went above and beyond the call of duty,” Northside Fire Chief Brad Mitton said of Deal’s actions on the night of Jan. 15.
The fire originated in an upstairs stairwell at Mount Baldy Apartments. Deal was the first responder to make it to the scene and used a fire extinguisher mounted in the stairwell to make a quick initial attack.
A family of five was in the upstairs apartment when the fire took hold. Deal’s initial attack is credited with getting the family out safely.
“They could have easily suffered smoke inhalation or died,” said Mitton.
Northside Fire listed the cause of the fire as undetermined, but ruled out arson.
Deal was honored by Northside Fire, Ponderay Police and Bonner County Emergency Management during a county commission on Tuesday.