Jersey City firefighters saved a woman from a two-story Heights apartment blaze yesterday afternoon, with the victim being treated for burns and smoke inhalation at Christ Hospital.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday at approximately 3:19 p.m., a civilian reported a fire in a building near the headquarters of Engine Company No. 14. A fire captain looked out the door and saw visible flames from 604 Palisade Ave, city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy fire on the first floor of a two-story apartment building.
As firefighters forced entry to the apartment door, the second door to the apartment was opened and there was a shadow of a person approximately two to three feet into the hallway, officials said.
The victim was enveloped in heated gas and smoke, with the fire behind her as she fled, indicating that she had been burned and disoriented. She was found to be handicapped and very weak and unable to move on her own strength, authorities said.
Fire Capt. Justin Savino ordered Firefight Dennis Galvin to enter the structure, without the protection of a charged hose. At thie time, Savino was able to remain in eye contact with Galvin as he picked up and carried the woman to safety.
As Galvin removed the woman, Savino and Firefighter Mike O’Reilly continued to have the hoseline charged and advanced the line to rapidly extinguished the large volume of fire and conducted an aggressive primary search throughout the property, Wallace-Scalcione noted.
The female victim was transported to Christ Hospital by Jersey City Medical Center EMS for hand and facial burns as well as suspected respiratory burns and she is currently being treated for her injuries, officials said.
