“There at the right time”: Private patrol officer helps rescue sleeping woman from Bend apartment fire

(Update: adding video, interview with patrol officer)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A private patrol officer may have helped save a Bend woman’s life after discovering smoke coming from her northwest Bend apartment early Sunday morning.

Bianney Ventura, a patrol officer with Patrol Services Inc., was making her rounds at Awbrey Pines Apartments, 2500 NW Regency Street, when she heard a faint alarm and noticed smoke shortly before 1:40 a.m.

Ventura called 911, activated the main building’s fire alarm and began alerting neighbors to evacuate, according to an incident report provided to KTVZ News.

Bend police officers arrived around 2 a.m. and entered the smoke-filled apartment with Ventura after forcing open the door. Inside, they found a woman asleep in a bedroom while wearing headphones, Ventura and the report said.

The woman was awakened and guided safely outside. She told responders no one else was inside the apartment.

Ventura said she has not been able to speak with the woman since the incident but is thankful she was there when needed.

“I couldn’t really speak to her, but, yeah, just very glad that I was able to be there at the right time,” Ventura said. “No sooner or too late, you know.”

Bend Fire & Rescue confirmed the fire started after food was left on a stove. The apartment complex appeared undamaged from the outside.

Ventura, who hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement, said she enjoys her work and the people she meets.