A Des Moines police officer who noticed a house fire pounded on the front door until occupants responded and escaped.

Authorities say Officer John VanOrsdel noticed the fire as he was driving by around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Des Moines Register reports that VanOrsdel asked a dispatcher to notify fire officials. Then he went to the front door and began pounding as the flames consumed a side of the house and part of the back porch.

Someone inside finally answered VanOrsdel's pounding, and all five occupants escaped with VanOrsdel's help.

The fire cause is being investigated. No injuries have been reported.