Milpitas Police Rescue Toddler and Dog From Burning Apartment

Dramatic video captures officers catching child and pet thrown from balcony

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area released video of a dramatic rescue over the weekend, where Milpitas police officers caught a toddler and the family dog after they were thrown from a burning apartment building. The officers arrived on the scene within minutes and guided the trapped residents through the rescue, telling the parents to drop the 3-year-old girl and the pet from the balcony to the waiting officers below.

Why it matters

The video highlights the quick response and heroic actions of the Milpitas police officers, who risked their own safety to save the trapped residents. It also underscores the dangers of residential fires and the importance of emergency preparedness and coordination between dispatchers, law enforcement, and firefighters.

The details

According to the Milpitas Police Department, dispatchers received a call around 3:15 p.m. on Saturday about residents trapped inside a burning apartment on South Park Victoria Drive. Two officers arrived within two minutes and found the apartment doors blocked by heavy fire. As the fire grew, the officers worked with the trapped family to orchestrate the rescue, guiding the parents to drop the 3-year-old girl and the family dog from the balcony to the officers waiting below.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, February 26, 2026 around 3:15 p.m.

The players

Milpitas Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the emergency call and carried out the dramatic rescue.

Milpitas Fire Department

The fire department that arrived on the scene and was able to evacuate the remaining occupants of the apartment building.

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What they’re saying

“I got her, I got her. Drop her,”

— Milpitas Police Officer (Milpitas Police Department)

What’s next

The Milpitas Police Department and Fire Department will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the fire and the emergency response procedures.

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue highlights the importance of swift emergency response and coordination between law enforcement and firefighters in life-threatening situations. The bravery and quick thinking of the Milpitas police officers likely saved the lives of the trapped residents.