NORFOLK, Va. — Last week, News 3 first showed you a Norfolk house on Granby Street that caught fire after getting struck by lightning.
Norfolk
Lightning strikes home on Granby Street in Norfolk, starting fire; No one hurt
At the time, the family told News 3 they were thankful for a Good Samaritan UPS driver for taking action to get their dogs out of the home.
One week later, News 3 talked with the driver, Chris Schwenk.
“It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing,” Schwenk told News 3. “I just was doing something that I hope anybody else would do.”
Schwenk, a Hampton Roads native, takes pride in driving for UPS, delivering packages and building relationships.
“I try to service my customers to the best of my ability,” he said.
Schwenk told News 3 that’s certainly the case for the Granby Street home.
“I had delivered there multiple times, and the elderly dog usually sunbathes out in the yard, so I got to know him over time,” Schwenk said of the homeowners’ pets. “Some of the stuff’s probably for them!”
But last Wednesday, while braving the elements on his Norfolk route, he could smell smoke near the home.
“Kind of like campfire or burning leaves or something,” he recalled.
At first, Schwenk didn't think much of it.
But after turning onto Granby Street, he realized something was wrong.
“When I looked in my side-view mirror, I saw smoke coming out of the attic,” Schwenk said.
The house was on fire after being struck by lightning.
Schwenk called 9-1-1 but couldn't wait.
“It was a blessing that I knew there was pets there,” he said.
It was then that Schwenk knew he had to act.
He drove back around and parked across the home on Granby Street and ran across the median to the home.
“That’s when I banged on the door, and I could hear the dogs in the house,” he said. “I rang the doorbell, and there was no response on that either, and I just knew with the smoke coming out that we didn’t have time, and that something had to be done. I just kaboom, kick the door in, and there’s our little buddy on the other side of the door, he was happy to see the door open! If they could talk, I think they would’ve said, ‘Get me out of here!”
Schwenk said he and others were able to get the three dogs out to safety before going back on the job.
His thoughts are with the family dealing with damage to their home.
However, he's thankful it wasn't any worse.
Now, his actions are being recognized by the homeowners, his co-workers, and his community.
When asked if he’d do it again in a heartbeat?
“Of course, I’d hope everybody would do that,” Schwenk said. “[If] man’s best friend [is] in there, you’ve got to go get him out.”
Schwenk is also being recognized by PETA for his actions to save those dogs from the burning home with their Compassionate Action Award.
“These three dogs were rescued from a dangerous and potentially deadly situation,” PETA 2 Manager Marissa Price told News 3. “His heroic actions were amazing, and they really are a reminder to us all that we must really come to the aid of anyone in distress, and never turn a blind eye to anyone of any species who needs our help.”
PETA officials told News 3 Schwenk will receive a framed certificate, coffee, vegan chocolate, an emergency window-breaking hammer, and toys for his adopted cat and dog.
