DEL NORTE- The Town of Del Norte awarded Interim Police Chief Frank Archuleta during their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12. The meeting room was packed full of people to honor the bravery and selflessness of the police chief including his wife and daughter, as well as, the children of victim Christina Gallegos. Mayor Chris Trujillo presented the award and thanked Archuleta for his outstanding bravery while rescuing Gallegos from a house fire that occurred in Del Norte Jan. 29, 2020.
“I was dispatched to the home of Christina Gallegos on Jan. 29 just before noon. The call was for an elderly person who had fallen and could not get out of a house that was reported on fire. When I arrived on scene Ms. Gallegos was lying in her doorway, half in and half out of the house and flames were coming out of the door above her. Flames were also hitting the windows of the home,” explained Archuleta during an interview after the award ceremony.
Archuleta reacted immediately when arriving on scene. “I thought to myself as I was in route, this can’t be good. Flames were hitting the windows and coming out over her back as she was lying in the doorway. The heat was so intense that I paused at first but then I put my head down and got between her and the flames coming from inside the house,” said Archuleta.
The Interim Chief did not hesitate once he had reached Gallegos, grabbing her the best he could and helped her to her feet. “I knew she had trouble walking to begin with, even before the incident, but I knew she would help me if I helped her. We got out of the doorway just as another citizen, I only got his first name, Frank, came up to help me get her to the car. Just as we crossed the entrance to the yard the southeastern windows exploded. I tried to shield her from the glass flying around but I received cuts so I know she must have as well.”
Archuleta and the citizen were able to get Gallegos to safety in time for the ambulance to arrive. “I know she received first, second and third degree burns and that she has since received three skin graph surgeries but is in recovery. I was fortunate enough to only get flash burns which are like a really bad sunburn. My main concern was her safety the whole time. It took a few days for my burn to stop stinging, especially on my ear but so far, I am doing just fine.”
According to Archuleta, the fire was caused by a grease fire on the stove of the home. “Christina told me that a fire started while she was cooking grease on her stove and that it just got away from her. Most people do not know how to handle certain fires such as grease fires, or electrical fires and it is something everyone should educate themselves on and know how to handle emergencies as they arise.”
Archuleta has announced that he has applied for the full-time police chief position with the town.