Highbridge neighbor hailed a hero for helping family escape apartment fire
The fire broke out shortly before 12:50 p.m. on the sixth floor of 1425 University Ave.
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A Highbridge neighbor is being hailed a hero for helping a family escape a fire that erupted Monday afternoon inside of their apartment.
At least one person was injured, according to FDNY, and the family was displaced.
The fire broke out shortly before 12:50 p.m. on the sixth floor of 1425 University Ave. Thick smoke could be seen pouring from the apartment windows as firefighters rushed to the scene.
Neighbor Jose De Jesus jumped into action before crews arrived.
“When I saw the smoke, I went in with my fire extinguisher,” 20-year-old De Jesus said. “I took out something that was in the living room.”
That “something” De Jesus said was a carpet that had caught fire inside the family’s apartment.
“It was really scary — completely blacked out. It was bad,” he said.
The father who lives in the apartment, Francisco, said he had just returned home from work when his children were playing in the living room. He said his daughter accidentally set the carpet on fire.
Francisco said he tried desperately to put the flames out himself. He carried the burning carpet to a sink — but said no water came out when he turned on the faucet.
“That’s a problem. We should always have access to water,” De Jesus said while translating for his neighbor.
FDNY firefighters later searched the apartment and helped bring the fire under control. The family was able to escape safely.
Both the fire and water heavily damaged Francisco’s apartment. The family was receiving assistance from the Red Cross as of Monday night.
Despite the destruction, Francisco said he is thankful for his neighbor’s bravery.
“We always have got to help each other,” De Jesus said. “If that were to happen to me, I would want somebody to come and help me out.”
