- Six Utah County deputies risked their lives in an Eagle Mountain fire.
- Body cam footage shows deputies saving residents from Willow Springs Condos blaze.
- Deputies suffered smoke inhalation but saved lives; City Council will honor them.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Newly released body camera footage reveals the harrowing moments six Utah County Sheriff's deputies rushed into a burning apartment complex in Eagle Mountain, risking their lives to save others.
The fire broke out two weeks ago at the Willow Springs Condos, but the dramatic video was made public on Tuesday. It shows towering flames and thick smoke engulfing the building as deputies arrived on scene.
"Get everybody out," one deputy can be heard shouting, as sirens blared in the background.
The footage captures the deputies going door to door, calling out to anyone still inside.
"If you are in there, come out. Hear my voice. Come out now," one deputy yells.
Despite being overcome by smoke, the deputies pressed on. Several are heard coughing and choking as they push through the thick haze.
"That was gut-wrenching that day when we got here," said Sgt. Nicholas Friedrichsen, who spoke exclusively with KSL-TV.
It was his body camera that recorded the footage.
"It was hot. More than the hot was the smoke. The smoke was miserable," he added.
All six deputies suffered smoke inhalation but refused to back down.
"It completely suffocated all oxygen, and it took everything out of us," Friedrichsen said. "But we didn't want to give up. We have to go in and make sure everybody's out. And it just never even dawned on any of us (to leave the fire). We've had a couple of talks about it, and not a single person hesitated or thought anything other than 'We need to get in and try and help people.'"
Among those rescued was an elderly couple who had no idea a fire was raging outside their door.
They 100% saved lives. Without a doubt. Several of the occupants didn't even know there was a fire.
–Dave Ulibarri, Eagle Mountain public safety director
Dave Ulibarri, Eagle Mountain's public safety director, arrived shortly after the fire broke out.
"It's every second matters. And these deputies were phenomenal," Ulibarri said. "They 100% saved lives. Without a doubt. Several of the occupants didn't even know there was a fire."
Fortunately, only one person was injured in the fast-moving blaze. All six deputies were treated and released at the scene.
Next week, the City Council will honor the deputies for their heroic efforts.
