Firefighter injured in 2-alarm building blaze in Burlington Co.

Annie McCormick Image
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Firefighter injured in 2-alarm building blaze in  Burlington Co.
Firefighter injured in 2-alarm building blaze in Burlington Co. Annie McCormick reports during Action News at 11 p.m. on July 5, 2017.

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (WPVI) -- A firefighter suffered minor injuries during a building blaze in Mount Laurel, Burlington County.

Chopper 6 HD was over the scene in the Laurel Creek town-home complex where just after four thirty a second floor unit on the 2100 block of Yarmouth Lane erupted in flames.

Neighbors say the homeowner was trying to smoke out a bees nest when the roof caught fire.

Resident Rachelle Quick said, "I walked over, started knocking on doors."

Before firefighters got there Quick began alerting neighbors, then Frank Medici jumped in to help, realizing an elderly couple lived in the unit. He humbly recounted the moments he ran in, the couple didn't realize how bad the fire had spread.

Medici said, "She was trying to put it out with a pitcher of water and I was like, no we gotta go. So her husband, he has Parkinson's. I carried him out and that was it."

One of the homeowners later thanked Medici with a hug.

Firefighters responded from multiple agencies to the two alarm blaze. The Mount Laurel Battalion Chief said this was a tough fight.

"When a fire gets into an attic, it takes a lot of manpower especially with weather conditions today," he said.

One firefighter was injured after a hose hit his head and went to the hospital with minor injuries.

Firefighters rescued two pets. And everyone else was out safely when they arrived.

Tonight at least four families are out of their homes with two units completely destroyed.

An elderly couple lost their home, but might have lost their lives if it wasn't for their neighbor.

Residents say they are grateful they live in a community where everyone is looking out for each other.

"That's a true neighbor, need more good neighbors," Resident Lois Bartlomiejusz said.

"It was timing, just one of those things you hope someone does it for you," Medici said.

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