Neighbor burned trying to save woman in fatal Fanwood, NJ house fire
FANWOOD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A woman was killed in a house fire in Fanwood, New Jersey, despite the attempts of a neighbor who was seriously burned while trying to save her.
Fanwood and Scotch Plains Fire Departments arrived at the home on Kempshall Terrace within four minutes of dispatch around 1:30 a.m. Friday.
Officials said that firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack while searching for the victim.
The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes.
The victim was found in a second-floor bedroom and pronounced dead at the scene.
A neighbor unsuccessfully rushed to her aid after he called 911 to report smoke coming from the second-floor bedroom, and was seriously burned before firefighters arrived.
"It's really, it's just an unimaginable thing that I don't think most people would do," said Matt Ahle, the son of the good Samaritan.
He says his dad Bill was walking his dog around 1:30 a.m. when the fire started.
"Her garage was open for whatever reason. So, he went in and then, yeah, he tried going into the bedroom," Ahle said. "Apparently, the flames just started shooting out because he tried opening it and then they just shot out at him, and I guess he put his arms up, so, you know, block it, and that's how they got burned."
Ahle says his father crawled down the stairs to safety after he was unable to save the woman.
His father was taken to the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
"He's awake, he's talking," Ahle said. "He's still laughing and cracking jokes himself."
His bravery was not a surprise to anyone on this street.
"We kind of call him Mayor Bill," said a neighbor named Erika. "He's very friendly with everyone on the street and always watching out for everybody."
"Our guy's a hero. Not everybody would do that," said neighbor Richie Purawski.
Neighbors are also remembering the victim.
"I used to shovel her steps," Ahle said. "She would give me money when I was a kid, you know? She was always just a kind, welcoming lady."
Neighbors are also offering support to the victim's family.
"We let her know that everybody on the street is behind her, whatever she needs as help goes," Erika said.
No firefighters were hurt.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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