NC officer called hero after valiant effort to save women trapped in house fire

A North Carolina police officer is being commended for his bravery and valor after he helped pull two women

Posted 5:14 p.m. Dec 18, 2021 — Updated 5:18 p.m. Dec 18, 2021

STANLEY, N.C. — A North Carolina police officer is being commended for his bravery and valor after he helped pull two women out of a burning home.

Matthew Curfman was seen on body cam video running into a burning home in an effort to save a mother and daughter trapped inside.

The women, ages 90 and 71, tragically passed away from their injuries suffered in the fire. However, family members wanted Curfman to be recognized for his efforts in the early-morning fire on Oct. 30.

Curfman is an officer in Stanley, a small town in Gaston County.

"When you get into public safety, you try to help who you can," Curfman said in a WCNC report. "Sometimes, it goes tragically, and sometimes it does not."

Curfman kicked in the house's side door, as seen on his body camera video. He was able to force the door open wide enough for a volunteer firefighter to get in and pull one of the women out. Curfman helped carry the second woman to the front yard.

"The mother, she's actually my grandmother's age," he said. "Essentially, [I] just tried to help my grandma."

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