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SANDY – It was another normal day at work for John Butcher – until he saw smoke.
The longtime Sandy city public works employee, who had been out Monday afternoon conducting street inspections, turned onto a side street and found a two-story house at 10960 Heather Ridge Drive on fire.
According to the Sandy Fire Department, the fire started on the back patio just after 3 p.m. and spread to the house. Butcher arrived before firefighters did and went into the backyard, finding the elderly homeowner trying to put out the fire with a garden hose.
The man, who seemed to be in shock, told Butcher his wife was inside.
"I just told him we need to get in there and try to get her out," Butcher said.
Amid thick smoke, Butcher said they went in and found the man's wife, who reportedly has multiple sclerosis and is unable to walk. Butcher said the woman had crawled toward the door and told him she didn't "want to die."
"I just stated, 'You're not going to die, we'll get you out of here,'" Butcher said.
Scooping the woman up in his arms, Butcher said he carried her outside while also helping guide her husband out of the home. According to the fire department, both went to the hospital with minor burns.
The house itself sustained significant damage. Investigators have determined the fire was "accidental" and caused by a cigarette, Sandy Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie said late Tuesday afternoon.
"It was out of control with the wind," neighbor Mike Woodley told KSL TV. "The wind was blowing so hard. It was just blowing it every which way."
Related: Fire breaks out at Daybreak home, wind possibly a factor
Woodley praised Butcher's quick actions. He said neighbors knew that a city worker had helped the couple, but they didn't know who he was until now.
"He's a hero. Absolutely a hero," Woodley said. "He got her out just in time."
Butcher disagrees with any talk of heroes.
"I think I was just there at the right time – right place at the right time – and I did the best I could do," Butcher said. "Glad I could help."
