THATCHER — One of the men who helped save a life during a June house fire was recognized for his efforts Monday.
During Monday’s Town Council meeting, Thatcher Fire Chief Steve Curtis presented Mike Taylor with a card of appreciation and a gift certificate for his efforts during the fire that destroyed a home on Reay Lane in early June.
“If he wouldn’t have, if they wouldn’t have helped this gentleman out, we would have had a fatality. That’s not what we want and we appreciate you guys for doing that,” Curtis said.
Taylor saw smoke coming from the home on Reay Lane and rushed to see if anyone was inside. A woman emerged from the back of the house and said her father-in-law was still in the home.
Taylor went inside to see Mike Rhinehart trying to drag the man, who had previously collapsed. With Taylor’s help, the two were able to drag the man out of the home before it was fully engulfed in flames.
“I was just doing what anybody would do, hopefully,” Taylor said.
Rhinehart was not able to attend Monday’s meeting.
The fire ended up destroying everything on the property, including sheds, a garage and multiple vehicles, necessitating assistance from all area fire departments to protect the neighboring structures.