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Resident praises officer who extinguished small fire at Richmond Manor
Summary
A Richmond resident thanked an officer who reportedly extinguished a laundry‑area fire at Richmond Manor before the fire department arrived, saying the officer’s actions likely prevented a larger blaze in a building housing about 56 residents.
A Richmond resident told the City Council that an on‑duty police officer put out a small fire at Richmond Manor on March 18 before firefighters arrived, helping evacuate residents from a smoke‑filled apartment and likely preventing more serious damage.
“My name is Dean Roberts, and I’m representing 36901 Dallas Street,” the resident said during the council’s audience‑comment period. Roberts said he immediately went to Richmond Manor after a call and found police and fire personnel on scene. He identified the officer who first arrived as Officer Steve Rupkus and credited him with extinguishing the flames and assisting tenants.
Roberts said the blaze was in a corner near a laundry room and that an adjacent apartment was filled with smoke. “Steve should be thanked somehow, some way,” Roberts said.
Roberts said he is a building inspector and, after crews removed interior finishes, observed flame damage into a wall cavity that extended to the attic. He told the council 56 residents live at Richmond Manor and that if the fire had reached the attic the outcome could have been much worse.
Chief [name not specified in record] acknowledged the comment and said he had personally spoken with Officer Rupkus.
Why it matters: resident testimony highlights a local public‑safety response and praises an on‑scene officer whose early action the speaker said reduced potential harm to residents and property. The council recorded the public comment during the audience‑comment portion of the meeting; no formal council action was taken on the matter that evening.
What was said (selected quotes)
- “I was called by Dana early that morning about a fire at Richmond Manor… there was a police officer by name of Steve Rupkus. He was the first one on the scene, and he actually put out the flames,” Dean Roberts said.
- “Steve should be thanked somehow, some way,” Roberts said.
Clarifications and limits of the record: Roberts described observing flame damage in wall cavities and noted he is a building inspector; the council record does not include a separate response from Richmond Manor management, a formal incident report, or confirmation of occupant injuries. The chief acknowledged speaking with Officer Rupkus but no additional operational details or formal commendation were recorded during the meeting.
Next steps: the council did not take action on the comment. The record shows an expression of appreciation and a verbal acknowledgment by the chief; any administrative follow‑up (such as a formal commendation) would be handled by department personnel and is not recorded in the meeting minutes.
