Cedar Rapids man credited with saving transient who caught fire

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man is being credited with potentially saving the life of a transient man who caught fire Thursday night.

Corey Smock, 38, is facing life-threatening injuries at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after his sleeping bag and clothing caught fire. However, authorities say that if it wasn't for the timely intervention of 40-year-old Matthew Geraghty, Smock would already be dead.

'He provided this individual with an opportunity to live,” said Greg Buelow, the city's public safety spokesman. 'If it wasn't for him, it more than likely would have been a fatality.”

Buelow said Geraghty and his son were driving by the area of I Avenue and First Street NW around 10 p.m. Thursday when they noticed a fire in the back of a vacant lot near the railroad tracks. Recognizing that the large flames were more than just a campfire, Geraghty got out to investigate, Buelow said.

They found Smock, whose clothing was on fire.

Buelow said Geraghty helped take Smock's burning shirt off. Geraghty then used his own coat to smother the remaining flames on Smock.

'The victim was in a condition that he wouldn't have been able to extinguish himself and stop the burning process,” Buelow said.

With help from his son, Geraghty called 911 and police, fire and ambulance officials responded. Firefighters encountered fires in two tents, which were near two recreational fires. A second subject was also sleeping at the site, but was not injured. Firefighters believe the fire in Smock's tent was caused by a knocked over candle or smoking materials that were not properly put out.

Smock was taken to St. Luke's Hospital and later transferred to UIHC.

As temperatures continue to drop, Buelow said firefighters' concerns about anyone camping outside escalate. He said improper ventilation of space heaters can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and open flames can lead to situations like the one Thursday night.

'Absolutely, it's a concern, with anybody that is in a tent in cold weather conditions,” Buelow said.

Geraghty could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.