Rochester Hills fire lieutenant saves 2 from second story of burning home

ROCHESTER HILLS — Two people are alive thanks to the quick thinking of an off-duty fire lieutenant in Rochester Hills.

The Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of John R Road on the report of a house fire with people trapped inside just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Rochester Hills Fire Lt. Chris Ogg, who was off duty, happened to be driving by the area and saw smoke coming from the home. 

“He went there, saw people upstairs, went around the corner, grabbed a ladder, put the ladder up himself, climbed the ladder and pulled two people down (from the second-story window),” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said.

Ogg — who was recently promoted to lieutenant — comes from a long line of people who have served the community, Barnett noted. His grandfather was the city’s first mayor, Earl Borden. 

“It was absolutely heroic work,” Barnett said. “Those two folks, thankfully, were taken to (DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital) and spent a couple days recovering, but are fine now. 

“Really, you talk about something to be thankful for this season — the fact that they are with us is thanks to one individual, who followed what he knows to do and saved lives. We’re certainly proud of him.”

Rochester Hills firefighters — with mutual aid support from the city of Rochester, Auburn Hills, and Shelby Township — arrived shortly after and extinguished the fire.

The victims were transported to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters also rescued one dog from the fire. Oakland County Animal Control transported the dog to a nearby animal hospital for treatment, where he reportedly passed away.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.