Early video: Woman rescued at Elizabeth, NJ house fire

Early video from RLS Metro Breaking News of a house fire yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at 537 Jersey Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ.

According to Tom Wright-Piersanti at The Star-Ledger, the fire started in the basement, moved to the upper floors of the three-story home and then extended to homes on either side. A 55-year-old woman was trapped in the top floor toward the front of the house.

Witnesses said they saw firefighters prop ladders up the front of the house and smash open the top window, which sent flames and smoke pouring out.

“All the smoke went into the firefighter’s face, he wasn’t even wearing a mask or anything, and a bunch of them pulled her out the window,” said city resident Teresa Lopez.

The firefighters helped her down the ladder, and she appeared to be aware and talking to personnel at the scene as she received treatment, witnesses said.