LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington Fire Department awarded one of its highest honors to a firefighter who saved two lives during last year's gas line explosion in Lincoln County.
Several structures were destroyed and one woman was killed in the Aug. 1 explosion. A fireball from the blast could be seen from as far away as Bardstown and Lexington.
Lexington firefighter Colby Reik was off-duty at the time. Once he got to the scene, he heard about someone trapped in their home. This came in as emergency crews tried to evacuate surrounding homes.
Reik drove into the neighborhood. He started to turn away as the heat intensified, but then he saw a man who had fallen on his own deck.
Reik grabbed the man and pushed him into his car. The man said his wife was inside the home. Reik went in, found the woman, and dragged her out. He then drove the couple to awaiting paramedics, who took them to the hospital. Reik then went back to check for more survivors.
For his actions, the Lexington Fire Department awarded Reik the Firefighters Cross in recognition of an act of heroism, bravery, and stamina in the face of extreme conditions. This is the second highest award from the department.
