Around 4:30 in the morning, engine 3 pulled up to a burning two family home on James Street, in New York City.   Fire ran rapid through all three floors. Dense black smoke poured out of every window in the front, and halfway to the rear. The fire had started in the front of the house and moved toward the rear at such a quick pace, It was hard to imagine anyone could still be alive in that inferno.

When someone yelled out, “There are people trapped inside!”  The Officer ordered the deck gun to the front of the building and then he and another fireman ran around to the rear of the home to attempt a rescue.  Within a minute all 500 gallons of water from the deck gun had been used up, with little effect on the fire.  The other firemen ran around back to help the officer and other fireman.  When they got to the back of the home they only saw on-lookers staring in horror.  The fireman asked where the officer was.  The on-lookers just pointed to the back door with thick smoke pouring out of it.  Without hesitation the two firemen crawled in the back door.  Within one  minute they were pulling an adult male out, and starting medical treatment on him.  Then a mother cried out, “I think his  baby is in the back room.”   without hesitation,  the two firemen crawled back inside the inferno.

Each moment that passed, seemed to take hours.  The windows were blowing out, one by one.  The fire was caving in the ceiling in the front part of the home.  Still no sign of the firemen.  After about four minutes, one of the firemen rolled out of the back door, with the child wrapped up tightly in his arms.   The other fireman was right behind him. The medics started CPR on the child until the air ambulance arrived and airlifted him to a Bronx hospital.

The house was a total loss.  It was later discovered that there was a second child somewhere in the other back bedroom.   Standing there, watching the fireman who had just crawled through hell with a child in his arms to safety, throw his helmet to the ground upon hearing the news of a second child.  To see the tears fall from his smoke filled face as he walked to the back of the engine, was an overwhelming moment…

If you ever get a chance, or can find the time in your life.  (Even if you have never needed the help of a fireman or woman)   Instead of having them come to you, go to them and say thank you.  They are truly angels among us…