Firefighter Recognized for Heroic Rescue of a Joliet Man

Last week, Lockport firefighter Phil Hutto was awarded the Liberty Mutual Insurance Firemark Award for saving a Joliet man trapped after a gas explosion in October, according to the Naperville Sun.

On October 11, Hutto was one of the first firefighters at the scene of the fire. A five-unit condominium on Strawflower Court in Romeoville had exploded after a gas leak.

According to Firefighter Scott Montgomery, the burning remains of the building were in the street when Hutto went to inspect the scene.

Hutto found Thomas Smith, a Nicor worker from Joliet, trapped under the burning building. Other Nicor employees moved debris, and Hutto crawled into the debris to save Smith while the fire was approaching.

"I appreciate the recognition," Hutto told the Naperville Sun. "I don't know that anybody would have done anything differently. It was all a part of the job when it comes down to it."

According to WLS, Mike Smith, the brother the injured Nicor worker, his brother is still recovering from the incident, but is doing well.

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