Tempe Police Officer Tells Story of Near-Death

TEMPE - A Tempe Police officer had a very close call Tuesday while responding to an apartment fire. He rushed into a burning apartment building, trying to save lives, when the roof collapsed around him.

Sgt. Dan Masters nearly lost his own life in the process. Masters ran into the burning building without any protective gear.

The last thing he remembers is the roof falling down, then waking up on the bottom floor.

"Your training kicks in but that was the first time that I thought I could die," recalls Masters. Checking out the damage on Wednesday, he says, "I was reminded very clearly by the fire marshal how lucky I was."

The fire consumed the Tempe apartment complex, leaving 20 families homeless. Everyone got out safely.

Masters has been on the force for 17 years. He admits his job can be scary, but yesterday was the first time he thought he might die.

"Bottom line... my job and the firefighter's job is the preservation of human life."

Masters tells me he has splitting headache but otherwise feels fine.