'God saved me': Man recounts jumping out of window to escape Bristol Twp. apartment building fire
The fire marshal says 12 units were destroyed in the fire, and roughly 20 to 30 people are displaced.
BRISTOL TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A man is recalling the scary moments he said he jumped from a second-floor window of his burning apartment building in Bucks County Wednesday morning.
He is among four injured from the blaze. Three firefighters also suffered injuries.
The fire broke out just before 6 a.m. Wednesday in the 3000 block of Ford Road, at the J building of the Levittown Trace Apartments in Bristol Township.
Families who live in the apartment complex watched in disbelief as one building burned.
"See my hand, thank God I got my life," said a resident who jumped from the window. "It was terrible."
The Levittown Trace resident of more than 20 years spoke with Action News as tears streamed down his face.
His arm was bandaged at the ER after he said he jumped from the second-floor window as smoke overtook his apartment.
"Everything that I ever worked for is gone," the resident said. "God saved me. I'm happy that I'm alive here today."
The Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said police officers were below the window when the resident escaped.
"His fall was softened by police officers underneath the window, so it wasn't a hard impact, but he still brushed up his arm a little bit," Dippolito said.
Officials said this was a dangerous and fast-moving fire.
Three firefighters were injured, including one who suffered an ankle injury and another who is being treated for smoke inhalation. A third broke his arm after a section of the roof collapsed.
"I believe when the ceiling collapsed, he was hit with part of the roof or ceiling above -- got him on the arm," Dippolito said.
Residents spent the morning outside with luggage and anything they could grab after officials allowed them to reenter stable sections of the building.
Loved ones of those who escaped are thankful no one else was hurt.
"They are safe," said Riddhi Patel. "They're okay but they lost everything. So very disappointing."
Officials said 12 units were destroyed and that roughly 20 to 30 people are now displaced.
Officials are still looking into the cause.
