San Francisco Fire Commission honors Jose Contreras for rescuing two people from Twentieth Street fire

The San Francisco Fire Commission on Feb. 1 presented a certificate of appreciation to Jose Contreras for pulling two people from a burning building at 3017 Twentieth Street on Jan. 13, 2023.

Deputy Chief Robert Postel described how Contreras, who smelled smoke and heard a scream while working across the street, entered the building and carried a woman and then a man out before firefighters arrived. "He did not hesitate and heroically ran up the stairs and pulled out the gentleman's mother and carried her out of the burning building," Postel said, reading from the battalion chief's report. Fire department officials said those rescues allowed crews to make a faster interior attack and helped prevent the blaze from spreading to neighboring properties.

Chief Janine Nicholson thanked Contreras and encouraged him to apply to the department. "You are a hero," Nicholson said, noting the rescues occurred "prior to our arrival" and that the early action helped limit damage. Commissioners offered personal thanks and praise; Vice President Armee Morgan called Contreras's actions "refreshing" in the midst of other negative news about the city, and multiple commissioners described his conduct as brave and unselfish.

Contreras accepted the recognition and said he was "there at the right time." The commission presented the certificate and invited Contreras and his family for photos before moving on to the day's agenda.