Georgia deputy rescues baby from burning apartment

Barrow County deputy Jhancarlos Arango saves an infant from a fire as dramatic rescue unfolds on video

WINDER, Georgia (CNN/WSB)- A Barrow County sheriff’s deputy is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a baby from a burning apartment on Tuesday. The heart-stopping moment, captured on video, shows Deputy Jhancarlos Arango braving thick smoke to save the child.

The fire broke out just after 1 p.m., with law enforcement arriving at the scene before firefighters. A baby’s cries could be heard from the second floor as the building filled with smoke. Sheriff Jud Smith described the situation as terrifying, with officers and the child’s parents initially forced to turn back due to the smoke.

Despite the danger, Deputy Arango wrapped a shirt around his face and followed the sound of the crying baby. The footage captures his determination as he located the infant, swaddled in clothes and surrounded by smoke.

“I can’t breathe. Help me out. I got her! I got her! I got her!” Arango can be heard saying in the video.

A Winder officer assisted Arango in carrying the baby down the stairs and out to safety. The dramatic video concludes with relieved voices expressing gratitude, one person exclaiming, “Oh my God, thank you God.”

Sheriff Smith confirmed that while the baby was transported to the hospital, there were no major injuries, thanks to the swift actions of law enforcement.

“You hear of stories of people pulling someone from a burning building, and you just witnessed it on video,” Smith said.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.