2 good Samaritans save elderly residents in Cherry Hill house fire

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (WPVI) -- Two good Samaritans jumped into action when a house went up in flames in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Sunday.

It happened around 4:30 p.m. on the 700 block of Birch Street.

Action News spoke with two good Samaritans who rushed into the burning home to save two elderly residents, Jimmy and Joan Behlau.

"As we were driving by we both noticed flames coming from the roof. I jumped out of the car and just ran into the house," recounted Kelly Ann Bacho.

Bacho said it's been a few days since she last saw Jimmy who frequents the Cherry Hill Diner where she works.

Before heading to work Sunday, he convinced Olivia Hale, who was driving Bacho to work, to stop by his home.

"She was jumping out of the car before I was even parked," said Hale.

Disregarding their own safety, the two went into the home to help Jimmy and Joan out.

Joan, who has difficulty walking, had to be put in her wheelchair.

"We put her in the wheelchair and carried her down the stairs as we were calling 911," Bacho said.

The couple, of course, grateful to relative strangers and the first responders that came to their aid.

"We've been living here for 50 years," said Jimmy Behlau.

"My heart's breaking because we lived here a long time," he wife added,"

As for the heroic duo, they just hope their actions serve as an inspiration to others.

"I would hope what anyone else would think, run in the house to make sure everything is okay," Hale said. "I mean I'd do it again for a perfect stranger. If I was driving by and the house was on fire, I'd run to save whoever was in the house," said Bacho.

Fire officials said the fire does not appear suspicious, the investigation is ongoing.