KENNY GAMBLE
WUSA9
Reprinted with Permission

WOODSTOCK, VA - An off-duty firefighter from Prince George's County entered a burning home Saturday and removed two occupants who were unaware their home was on fire.

Officials with the Shenandoah County Department of Fire and Rescue said Capt. James Jiron was attending a family celebration across the street from the 200 block of Dingledine Street.

Officials said Jiron stepped outside and saw black smoke coming from the back of an apartment building. He immediately told family members to call 911.

Jiron went in the front door of the apartment and yelled that he was with the fire department, officials said. Jiron alerted one man who was asleep on a couch on the first floor, and then he went upstairs and alerted a second man of the fire. Both men escaped without injuries.

Jiron then turned a table on its end and moved it against a doorway to slow the fire from spreading.

Jiron's father-in-law also helped by spraying a fire extinguisher on the flames. Officials said a brush fire truck from the Virginia Department of Forestry was in the area and used its water supply to keep the fire from getting worse until the Woodstock Fire Department arrived.

John Collins, public information officer for Shenandoah County Department of Fire and Rescue said, "Jiron's attentiveness, training and quick action prevented serious injuries and possibly saved lives today."

Officials said the building had smoke detectors but they were not working.

A total of six people reside at the address and officials said the Red Cross is assisting them with temporary housing.

The Shenandoah County fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.