Alert officer rescues residents from fire

What makes that officer's actions even more commendable is the fact that the fire was in north Houston, outside of his jurisdiction.

Officer Dru Greer, 26, would typically be on the streets fighting crime, but this morning he was fighting something else -- fires -- and saving lives.

The fire broke out around 1:30am on Bauman at Neyland in north Houston. At least five of the residents living in this converted apartment complex were home when the blaze broke out.

By sheer coincidence, Greer just happened to be dropping off a teenager at his home in north Houston when he spotted the blaze and jumped into action.

"(I have) a little clothes and personal mementos," said one fire victim.

With just two bags left to his name, the fire victim shutters to think about all that he lost. But thanks to Greer, there is one thing he didn't lose -- his life.

"I'd like to see him one day and thank him for saving my life," said the victim. "The police officer tore the door down and told me to get out because the building was on fire. He helped me because it was dark and shined the lights so I could grab a pair of pants."

Neighbor Chris Aguilar also spotted the blaze and started helping, too.

"I knocked at her door and told her, 'Get out! Get out!' I tried to stop it, but I couldn't stop it," said Aguilar.

All five residents made it out safely, but two dogs perished in the flames. Arson investigators are looking into the cause. Fire crews say when they arrived, they found that some apartments were sharing electricity using extension cords. It's not clear if that had anything to do with the fire.

"At this point, it's going to be under investigation," said Larry Gonzalez with the Houston Fire Department.

What is clear is that the Pasadena Police Department is proud of their officer who was so quick to jump in.

"We are certainly glad he did what he did," said Asst. Chief Bud Corbett with the Pasadena Police Department.

The teenager was in the back of the patrol car, apparently witnessed the entire thing.

Greer was first hired with the Pasadena Police Department in dispatch in 2004. He's only been a police officer for a year. He did suffer a minor injury to his thumb.