Jackson, Wyo. ? Retired television news veteran David Brinkley was rescued from his burning home by a persistent police officer who broke into the home through a window, authorities said.

Teton County Deputy Chad Sachse carried the bedridden Brinkley to safety early Tuesday, said Teton County Fire Marshall Rusty Palmer. Brinkley, 82, and his caregiver escaped injury.

Sachse went to check a security guard’s report of a fire at the town house complex and found flames shooting out of the chimney.

The security guard had not believed the residence was occupied, but Sachse said he pounded on the door and looked in windows anyway.

When he saw a television set on, he entered through a window and shouted, waking the caregiver, then found Brinkley in bed and carried him to his patrol car, he said.

The fire had not yet burned into the interior of the house, he said.

“I figured they had maybe another 30 minutes,” Sachse said.

Palmer said the fire appeared to have been caused by faulty insulation around the fireplace. Damage to the town house was described as significant.

Brinkley retired in 1997 as host of ABC’s “This Week” political round table. He appeared on NBC from 1956 to 1970 on the pioneering “Huntley-Brinkley Report.”