Deputy rescues disabled man from burning, smoke-filled home in Apple Valley

An Apple Valley sheriff’s deputy rescued a 50-year-old disabled man from his burning, smoke-filled home, according to authorities.

Around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, first responders were sent to a home in the 19200 block of Palm Road, west of Apple Valley Road. The home is in the gated community of Jess Ranch.

Deputy Ernesto Madrigal was the first to arrive at the burning structure, sheriff's officials said.

Madrigal immediately went to the back of the home to check for residents who might still be inside. Seeing that the house was engulfed in smoke, he went into the home and called out to anyone inside. A disabled man emerged from a bedroom and Madrigal help him out of the home, sheriff’s officials said.

Apple Valley firefighters said the man suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

No one else was inside the home and the fire department extinguished the fire, sheriff’s officials said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Apple Valley Fire.

Anyone with information is asked to call Madrigal at the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com.