NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- New Iberia Police Department officers saved a woman from a burning house on Monday.

NIPD said Officer Marek Mason and Recruit Officer Evan Dowling were in the area of South Hopkins Street and Lombard Street around 10:40 a.m. on Monday, when they were approached by a resident notifying them of a potential house fire down Lombard Street. The officers responded to the area, and upon arrival identified a fire coming from a home in the 600 block of Lombard Street.

The officers notified the Communications Division to dispatch the New Iberia Fire Department, and then entered the home after being told by bystanders that two people were trapped inside.

Officer Mason attempted to enter the front of the home, but was quickly overcome by smoke. Mason then made his way around the back of the home and made entry. Officials said Mason was able to locate an unresponsive female victim, and carried her out of the home. After exiting the home, Sergeant Jacob Richard and Mason began life-saving measures.

Authorities said Officer Dowling went back into the home to make sure there were no additional occupants. After the search revealed there were not other occupants, Dowling rejoined the officers providing life-saving measures. Due to the victim's condition rapidly deteriorating, Sergeant Richard made the decision to take the victim to a local hospital.

The victim was turned over to emergency room staff for treatment, and is in critical condition.

NIPD would also like to recognize the two Communication Officers who worked quickly behind the scenes to dispatch assets and notify appropriate personnel.

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