Rescuers save 7 people from Wildwood Crest fire

WILDWOOD CREST, N.J. (WPVI) -- A total of seven people were rescued from a fire at a multi-family home in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey.

While the home is a total loss, it was thanks to the actions of several rescuers that no lives were lost in the blaze.

"I needed as much assistance as possible," said Cpl. Chris Webb of Wildwood Crest police.

The fire erupted at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Webb and Ofc. Neal Cullen were the first ones on the scene.

They found out there were people trapped inside, so they split up.

"There was an elderly lady upstairs trapped," said Cullen. He found the door was locked, so he kicked it in.

"By that point, the whole room was filled with smoke."

Fortunately, Cullen managed to get the woman - and her dog - out safely.

Meanwhile, Webb was able to get a couple and their daughter out of the first floor.

But their heroic efforts weren't over.

Webb says a man and two children - a boy and girl - were trapped on a balcony.

"The flames were coming out so bad that it was actually pushing them to the edge of the balcony," said Webb.

Webb ran under the balcony to help. So did neighbor Zack Ruffo

"I was coming home from work," Ruffo said, "and I saw corporal Webb go flying across and stop in the street, and I thought something didn't look right."

The man had no choice but to drop the children from the balcony.

Corporal Webb, Ruffo, along with two other good Samaritans, caught the kids safely.

In true heroic fashion, none of these men actually think they're heroes.

"You know people wouldn't have been able to sleep at night if people were trapped up there," said Ruffo.

"To me I was just doing my job," said Webb.

"From the moment the call came out with my dispatcher, to the last unit cleared, everyone did a really great job," said Cullen.

Wildwood Crest firefighters Robert Murray, John Lynch and Holly Beach Fire Battalion Chief Ernest Trioano were also praised for their efforts.

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