Fire Crew Could Not Put Out Fire on Boat–Then Officer Notices Something Moving Inside

Chris Jasurek
6/13/2018
Updated:
6/13/2018
San Rafael Police Department Officer Travis Ruggles was one of several officers who turned up at San Rafael Yacht Harbor in response to a call about a boat on fire.

While firefighters went to work extinguishing the blaze, Ruggles spotted a dog huddled on the foredeck, trying to escape the spreading flames.

The video is fuzzy but the fire is very visible. What is not visible is the dog trapped on the burning boat. (Screenshot via San Rafael Police Department)
The video is fuzzy but the fire is very visible. What is not visible is the dog trapped on the burning boat. (Screenshot via San Rafael Police Department)

Ruggles realized that the fire crew wouldn’t be able to contain the flames in time.

Without hesitation he commandeered a nearby rowboat and headed across the water to the burning boat.

Thanks to Ruggles’s body camera, we can see him pulling alongside the flaming craft and coaxing the frightened pup into the rowboat.

The head of the rescued dog pokes above the gunwales as the officer pushes off from the burning boat. (Screenshot via San Rafael Police Department)
The head of the rescued dog pokes above the gunwales as the officer pushes off from the burning boat. (Screenshot via San Rafael Police Department)

Once the dog made the leap, Officer Ruggles rowed back to the dock where the pet’s very relieved and very grateful owner had been watching the rescue.

The lucky puppy prepares to jump back to dry land. (Screenshot via San Rafael Police Department)
The lucky puppy prepares to jump back to dry land. (Screenshot via San Rafael Police Department)

It is lucky indeed that Officer Ruggles did not wait. Despite everything the fire crews could do, the boat was soon totally engulfed in flame.

The San Rafael police department shared the video on its Facebook page, so everyone can see the officer’s heroism.
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