UPDATE: House fire: 'transient' saves dog
UPDATED: 5:08pm
A man that an eyewitness reported leaving the scene of a house fire earlier today turned out to be a local hero. Jon Herweck, a self described 'transient' who lives in St. Johns saved a dog from a burning house on North Willamette Boulevard just as the residence began to go up in smoke.
Earlier today an eyewitness reported a house fire on Williamette near North Mohawk in St Johns. The house is "across from one of the water towers," the eyewitness reported.
The eyewitness took this photo just as the fire began and claimed to have seen a man who could possibly be a local 'transient' running from the front of the house as smoke began to billow from the home.
"He started telling people to get away from the house and then he ran," said the witness. They claimed the man had a 'tall bike', which he 'ran' off with just as police were arriving at the scene. Emergency vehicles were reported on the scene.
NEW UPDATES: Transient saves dog
Inquiries to the Portland Police Bureau were not returned until late this afternoon.
However, citizen reports quickly and colorfully began to bring more information to light (see comments below).
The 'transient', also known as Rabbit, stated in comments below and via a phone interview that he is a carpenter and law-abiding citizen who did leave the scene of the crime.
"I was there for three hours," said Mr. Herweck (Rabbit).
Herweck stated that he was riding up Willamette Blvd on his 'tall bike' when he saw and smelled smoke.
"I was passing the water tower on the left," said Herweck. "I could smell the smoke, but it seemed wrong. It wasn't like a fireplace smoke."
Herweck stated that he realized it was a house fire and ran to the building and started pounding on the door.
"It was an adrenaline rush," said Herweck. "I just thought, this isn't right and I have to go in there."
The door was locked, and when no one responded he kicked the door in. According to Herweck a small Pomeranian dog emerged from the billowing smoke. Herweck called out to see if there was anyone else in the building.
He then left the building as police and fire units arrived. Some of the residents of the unit came to the scene later. Herweck left the dog with a neighboring resident.
"No one was hurt, luckily," Herweck said.
ARSON INVESTIGATORS ARE BEING CONTACTED. THIS REPORT IS ONGOING
~ Cornelius Swart
Comments
um... that 'transient' saved
by Sentinel Reader/User | Wed, 10/14/2009 - 4:45pmum... that 'transient' saved a dog from that burning house. no one was 'running off' anywhere. he had nothing to do with the fire. maybe he was telling people to get away from the house because it was ON FIRE?!
this article sucks! re-word, and check your sources!
house fire
by Sentinel Reader/User | Wed, 10/14/2009 - 4:01pmYour stupid a@#hole you have no idea what the hell you are even talking about. I found the fire and kicked in the door and saved a dog and stayed three hours to give my staement to the police the fire dep. and the arsen investigator I also spoke to a radio station and was asked to be available for more questions about the fact that I saved this house from burning to the ground. If you had even stopped for one second and not immediatley judged me for the way I looked then you would know that you are the one that ran away with your head up your a@#. I risked my life for the safety of others. All you did was spout some BS that isn't true. My name is Rabbit and yes I am a transient. I saw a house and fire and went into action. I am a persian gulf war vet and a resonsible adult and it makes me so angry to see that you said tese things about me. Judge me? You have no idea.
I am sorry/house fire
by Sentinel Reader/User | Wed, 10/14/2009 - 6:42pmIm the one who originally called in the fire. I also made the statement that when I arrived, you were headed in the opposite direction from the house with your tall bike. There is nothing more than that, just pulled up, saw a guy leaving on a tall bike. Now that the facts are all out, I offer my sincere apology for offending and possibly creating this. But when there is a house fire and the cops pull up, maybe you should stay put instead of heading off down the street out of sight, you did leave the scene, and now we know why, but at the moment we did not. I hope you can see my side, if the cops ask me if I saw anyone, I have to say yes.
Rabbit the unsung hero
by Sentinel Reader/User | Sun, 10/18/2009 - 2:09pmI live 2 houses away from the fire and stood with Rabbit after the fire for hours. I made him lunch and discussed his selfless act. He did not leave the fire scene he moved his bike in front of my house to make sure it was not in the way. He then stayed in my yard to assist the investigators with any info he had. Saying anything less than this man is a self-less hero is inacurate in this circumstance.
house fire
by Sentinel Reader/User | Thu, 10/15/2009 - 10:08amI loved the story, Rabbit is a hero and the nieghbor did the right thing. If my house catches on fire I hope a hero like Rabbit rides by on his bike. I don't know why everyone is getting upset over a little dog being saved the hero had to leave for what ever reason (who cares) and a concerned nieghbor reported what they saw. The first poster sounds angry and troubled but don't let that over shadow two people helping thier fellow human and animal. I hope you both continue to help others. Good story and thank you both for not looking the other way.
just thinking..
by Sentinel Reader/User | Thu, 10/15/2009 - 7:26pmRabbit probably did 'save the day'. First of all, he acted on a situation he noticed while riding by on his bike. And it sounds like there might be a bit of preconceived notions, considering he is transient. I also notice he is a Veteran. He doesn't sound like he's a lot different from me. But what I want to focus on is that while riding by on his bike, he noticed smoke and lept into action. Had he been whizzing by in a car at 40mph, he probably would not have noticed the smoke, nor would anyone till it got further along. My point being that walking and biking allow you to be more observant, 'eyes on the street' as it was. Perhaps we need even more bikes out there, as a crime and public safety patrol. Even if it were a defacto patrol.
And we probably could use a few more Rabbits.
house fire
by Sentinel Reader/User | Sun, 10/18/2009 - 8:24amI live all lthe way in Louisville Kentucky and I have heard a lot about Rabbit. I've never met Rabbit, but through my son (a friend of his) believe him to be an honorable man who has chosen a different lifestyle from the rest of us. He did the right thing and should be thanked for trying to save lives. When I read the article I immediately got the idea that Rabbit had set the fire. That is not accurate and it is dismaying to see a publication that can judge without presenting all the facts. By the way.....Rabbit, if you're reading this; thank you for your service to our country. I am the proud mother of two soldiers.
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