'Bittersweet': Racine County first responders honored with life-saving awards after saving little girl from Village of Raymond house fire
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It was a bittersweet day as several Racine County first responders were honored for their efforts saving a little girl during a house fire earlier this month.
Officials arrived at a home in the Village of Raymond in the afternoon of Dec. 1, where they encountered thick smoke from floor-to-ceiling.
Tragically, 38-year-old Jenna Zuehlke, a mother of three, and the family dog perished.
However, body camera footage shows responders were able to pull out her four-year-old daughter Mia who was heard crying on the basement stairs. Zuehlke's son, Desmond, had been taken out safely by a homeowner before officials arrived on scene.
Now nearly two weeks later, Racine County Sheriff's Office Deputy Benjamin White, Town of Norway Corporal Michael Bennett, and Village of Raymond Asst. Fire Chief Kevan Leedle received life-saving awards in front of Zuehlke's family, Mia and Desmond, and their colleagues.
"This is a day we want to celebrate because we have a four-year-old with us, but we also are saddened because we lost a 38-year-old mother of three which is deeply, deeply saddening," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling. "Your courageous and decisive actions gentlemen, working together under life-threatening conditions undoubtedly saved [Mia's] life."
Officials said while it was an honor, it's not about the award itself.
"When we go to these kinds of calls, we go in there thinking that we have to do something, we have to do something right, we have the opportunity to save a life," said Corp. Bennett. "That's just what we're meant to do."
Others said they were proud of what they were able to accomplish during the emergency situation, without proper fire gear and equipment.
"Everybody was looking for what's the right thing to do here, and time is what's important, and we got together and worked together as first responders," said Asst. Chief Leedle. "Like the sheriff said, it's a proud moment to be a Racine County resident and have this team behind us."
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire but at this point, do not deem it suspicious.
We will continue to bring you updates as we get them.