White Settlement motel fire leaves 1 guest, 2 officers injured

White Settlement officers hospitalized after motel fire

Three people were taken to the hospital following a motel fire in White Settlement on Thursday, including two police officers. FOX 4's Dionne Anglin has more.

WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas - Two White Settlement police officers and a motel guest are recovering after a major fire on Thursday afternoon.

What we know:

Emergency crews were called to the fire at the Studio 6 motel near Interstate 30 and Highway 183 around 5 p.m.

White Settlement police officers were the first to arrive and began helping to evacuate guests.

When the officers got to the third floor, they spotted an unconscious person on the balcony near a room that was engulfed in flames.

The officers pulled the motel guest to safety. That person was sent to the hospital with burns.

Two White Settlement police officers were also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. They are now back at home recovering. 

What they're saying:

Police Chief Chris Cook said his officers don't have the same breathing apparatus that firefighters have. So going into burning buildings is always a personal decision that the officers make.

"They immediately without any thought of any personal risk at all, they grabbed the subject and got them to safety because the fire was spreading so quickly and they dragged that person to safety immediately," the chief said. "I do believe those immediate actions were taken, probably saved that person's life and certainly got some other folks out of harms way that had no idea."

The White Settlement fire chief is expected to recognize the two officers for their brave and heroic actions.

"I am thankful that we have White Settlement Police Officers that are willing to take such actions as our fire crews are responding to the scene," Fire Chief Rick Sanderson said.

What we don't know:

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The injured guest's current condition is unknown, although his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

What's next:

About 150 other motel guests were displaced. The Red Cross is assisting them.