HAMBURG, N.Y. (WKBW) — For Town of Hamburg Police Officer Garrett Hileman, he and his team's swift actions from Monday night's house explosion were just another day on the job, but to the average civilian, this meant the world.
"This whole incident was...it was teamwork from start to finish," Hileman told me.
Hileman just happened to be down the road when a home on West Lane exploded. Once he got to the scene, he immediately called dispatch for help.
"There was a lot going on," Hileman recalled. "It was chaotic, it was hectic. There was screaming, there was debris everywhere."
WATCH: Below you can watch drone video that shows the aftermath of the deadly explosion.
78-year-old Joene Pease and 78-year-old John Pease were inside the home when it exploded. Joene was killed, and John remains in critical condition at ECMC. Hileman and fellow officers and firefighters were able to rescue John from the debris pile.
WATCH: 'They are and were amazing': Family shares statement after deadly home explosion in Lake View.
"I had eventually walked up to the foundation of the house and heard Mr. Pease yelling for help," Hileman said. "I called for more help from firefighters as I was alone at the time, I had a handful of guys that came over, and then we all worked together to try and rescue Mr. Pease from the basement."
Hileman was able to locate Pease trapped under the debris and cleared the way for him to be hoisted up by another officer and firefighter.
"We all worked together to try and get him out," Hileman said. "A house explosion isn't something that happens on a normal day-to-day basis; it's tough to prepare for, but we try and be prepared for anything and provide assistance when we can."
A GoFundMe has been created to support the family after the home explosion, which you can find here.
