A police officer in Essex County who volunteers as a firefighter in Union County helped save the life of an 83-year-old woman trapped in a house fire early Sunday.
Millburn police were called about 3 a.m. to a fire in a house on Old Short Hills Road, and officers responded to find the home engulfed in flames, fire officials said.
Officer Thomas Sweeney, who is also a volunteer firefighter in Clark, entered the burning home without protective gear or an air pack, fire officials said.
Body camera video shows Sweeney and two other police officers, identified in an ABC-7 report as Officer David Frisch and Officer Steve Nacim, running into the burning building, calling out to the woman.
“I’ve got her, Frisch, right here,” one of the officers is heard saying on video.
Sweeney told the news station he found the woman lying down and drifting in and out of consciousness because of the heavy smoke.
Millburn police saved the life of an 83-year-old woman trapped in a burning home on Old Short Hills Road on Sunday.Clark Fire Department
After crawling 8 to 10 feet to find the woman, Sweeney and the officers pulled her to safety through the back door.
The Clark Fire Department, where Sweeney volunteers, posted a statement on Facebook praising his actions.
“His extraordinary measures exemplify the bravery and courage of our firefighters and what we train and strive for each and every one of our members to have,” the statement said. “Beyond proud of our brother.”
ABC-7 reported a passing driver called police and that two residents, a mother and daughter, got out safely and told officers the woman was trapped inside.
The victim sustained burns and was taken to a local hospital, according to the report. Her condition was not immediately available on Wednesday.
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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
