Council honors neighbor who pulled two people from house fire

The Sacramento City Council on Jan. 21 presented a resolution honoring neighborhood resident Robert Longer after he rescued two people from a structure fire on Nov. 26, 2024, Deputy Chief Mike Taylor said.

Council members said the recognition acknowledges a civilian who put himself at risk while firefighters were en route. The council presented a resolution and a token of appreciation from the Sacramento Fire Department.

Deputy Chief Mike Taylor of the Sacramento Fire Department told the council that crews responded about 3 p.m. to a house fire on the 32100 block of Normington Drive and were told two adults with possible mobility issues were inside. Taylor said Longer had already assisted a male victim out of the house and then made multiple entries to remove a female victim, using the house’s doormat to shield himself from intense heat.

“Robert single handedly saved both victims while putting himself in harm’s way,” Deputy Chief Mike Taylor said. “Without the aid of Robert, things would have turned out a lot worse for sure.”

A person identified in the meeting as Mr. Phillips, who said his wife remains in the burn unit at UC Davis Medical Center, told the council, “If it…