AUDIO: Radio transmissions from fire reveal officer’s lifesaving efforts

WARREN — If Patrolman Doug Hipple survives lung and skin damage suffered in a Tuesday morning arson at 368 Bonnie Brae Avenue Northeast, he may never return to police work.

Police radio and telephone transmissions released by the Warren Police Department suggest that it may have only taken about five minutes for Hipple to lose consciousness after entering the burning two-story home.

He and the three mentally disabled women he tried to save were eventually pulled out alive.

A newspaper carrier called 911 at 3:23 a.m. to report the fire and say that she had flagged down Hipple — and that Hipple was already trying to get in the house.

The first portable radio transmission from Hipple came about a minute later, when he said, “Advise FD [fire department], it’s an MRDD [Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities] group house. They can’t get them out.”

About a minute later, at 3:25 a.m., Hipple, apparently inside the house after kicking in the front door, is with the women and said, “We’re trying to get them moving now.”

Just more than one minute later, at 3:26 a.m., Hipple, with obvious concern in his voice, says, “Tell them [firefighters] to step it up. We can’t get out.”

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com