US Postal Service worker saves man, dog from burning home

Neither snow, nor rain — nor fire? — could stop a Northwest Indiana mail carrier from doing her job, WBBM-TV reported.

Connie Allen, an 18-year U.S. Postal Service veteran, went above and beyond the scope of her duties this week by saving a man and his dog from a burning home.

What happened?

“Glad I was here at the right time, right moment,” Allen told the TV station. “I pulled up and saw flames shooting out the window and the side of the garage.”

Allen said she saw cars in the driveway of the Portage, Indiana, home and figured someone was inside. So she went to the front door.

Dan Komenda Jr. was inside taking a nap before work on Tuesday, unaware that his garage was on fire.

“Next thing you know I hear someone banging on the door,” Komenda told WBBM . “I open the door, she says get your dog, get out of your house, it’s on fire.”

What did the rescued man say?

“I think she saved the house. She saved me, possibly saved my dog. She made a big difference,” Komenda said.

Komenda’s personal belongings were destroyed and the home sustained a hole in the roof. But Komenda and his dog, Casey, made it out alive.

Allen continued the rest of her route and called it a day.

“It’s my job,” Allen said. “I just had to continue.”

The Portage Fire Department praised Allen for her quick action. When firefighters arrived, they were able to focus on putting out the blaze instead of first searching the home.

The cause of the fire is unknown, the report stated.