Columbia County deputies save man from burning building in Copake

COPAKE — Two Columbia County deputies rescued a man from a structure fire in Copake in the early morning Sunday, Aug. 18.
Around 2 a.m., Deputy Timothy Gladwin and Deputy Cody Falkner responded to a fire at an apartment building on County Route 7A. One of the ground-level apartments in the two story structure was engulfed when deputies arrived.

A tenant told the deputies they believed someone was still in one of the upstairs apartments, so the deputies sprang into action to retrieve the missing person.

Upon entering the apartment, the deputies found a single person sleeping in his bedroom. The deputies helped the man out of his apartment and down the stairs to safety.

Sheriff Donald Krapf said in a release that the two deputies’ quick action prevented loss of life and serious injury.
“This was outstanding police work, and without a doubt, these men are heroes,” Krapf said. “They exemplify what it is to be a deputy sheriff. I am exceptionally proud to have them as members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.”