Jeff Bailey Receives Citizen Life Saving Award for Rescuing Resident from Apartment Fire

(KNSI) – A Waite Park man has been honored for his heroic actions to save someone from an apartment unit engulfed in flames.

On the afternoon of November 11th, a fire alarm sounded at an apartment building in the 700 block of 7th Street South in Waite Park. Building caretaker Jeff Bailey tracked the fire to unit 207 and found someone inside. Fire Chief Jim Aleshire told the city council, that’s when the manager jumped into action. “Mr. Bailey, without regard for his own safety, pulled the occupant from the apartment and down the hallway to the stairwell. At that point, Waite Park PD arrived on the scene and assisted Mr. Bailey with removing the occupant the rest of the way out of the building and to safety.”

Aleshire says there would have been a different outcome if Bailey hadn’t acted and there wasn’t mutual aid. “Mr. Bailey’s quick actions undoubtedly saved the occupants life. Quick action by the St. Cloud and Waite Park fire units kept fire damage to the affected unit.”

There was also support from the St. Joseph Fire Department.

At the most recent city council meeting, Bailey was given the Citizen Life Saving Award for his heroic actions.