CHICO — As Alexandra Wynter and Anthony Lopez took their dog for a late-night walk along West First Street, they had no idea that they were about to witness a terrifying scene.
“We heard a screech and loud crash and decided to run towards it,” Wynter said. “We saw a car had crashed into a house and both were starting to catch fire. There were cops present immediately but they were not approaching the house or vehicle.”
Lopez quickly rushed to the building to help.
“Flames were spreading from the vehicle to the building at this time,” Lopez said. “I began pounding on all the doors and windows announcing the fire. Alexandra simultaneously did the same at the neighboring house.”
Both noticed a police officer near the vehicle attempting to free the passengers from the vehicle.
“(The officer) retreated saying he needed a fire extinguisher in order to get her out. (The) fire department was not on the scene at this time. That is when I decided to remove her from the vehicle myself. I reached into the burning car and hooked my arms under both of her armpits. As I pulled her out the flames flared burning the side of my face and ear.”
After a pursuit, a vehicle crashed into a home on The Esplanade in Chico early Friday morning resulting in a house fire that killed an 87-year-old woman.
The woman was identified as Barbara Ferris. She was taken to Enloe Health where she died of her injuries.
According to a press release issued Friday by the Chico State University Police Department, at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, an officer with the department was doing rounds at the 400 block of Warner Street when a 2018 Ford Mustang allegedly drove by in an unsafe manner at high speed, committing traffic violations along the way.
The officer tried to stop the vehicle but it continued on, leading to a pursuit northbound on Warner Street before turning onto West Sacramento Avenue. The release noted that that chase went on for about one minute and covered three-quarters of a mile before the Ford crossed The Esplanade, crashed into the house and caught fire.
The release said the driver of the Ford got out of the car and ran away, leaving two passengers trapped inside the car as it burned. Officers and bystanders were able to get both passengers out of the car and they were taken to the hospital and treated. Injuries to the passengers ranged from minor to serious.
Two people were in the house at the time with one able to get out. The other, Ferris, was “unresponsive” when found.
Lopez and Wynter said they wanted to try to free Ferris as well but were told to stand down by an officer at the scene.
“Anthony was still on the property and was looking for a way to rescue the person on the second story of the engulfed house,” Wynter said. “He was stopped by an officer who said they would have to remove him. The fire department had just arrived and there was an officer present with me and the injured lady.”
A man believed to be the driver was eventually detained by law enforcement officers, though the release did not provide a name for the suspect citing that it is “being withheld while the investigation continues.”
“This investigation is ongoing and will be a cooperative effort with our public safety partners in the region,” the release said. “Per (University Police Department) policy, the department will conduct an administrative review of tactics and procedures related to the pursuit.”
Wynter said she was thankful that they were at the scene and able to help.
“I have profound reverence for Anthony. Without hesitation, he ran into a fire to do what he felt was right,” Wynter said. “I truly believe he saved that young lady’s life. We send our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. We hope the victims are able to heal from such a traumatic event.”
