Officers risk lives to rescue woman trapped inside burning building

BRADDOCK, Pa. — Several police officers are being credited with rescuing a woman from a burning building Saturday night in Braddock.

Firefighters were called to an apartment building on Mapleview Terrace around 9 p.m. Saturday.

While crews were working to extinguish the blaze, four police officers rushed in to rescue a woman who neighbors said was trapped inside.

“We had to crawl in the door underneath the flames. They were coming out rolling from the ceiling. I didn’t know how long we were going to be able to stay in there,” Braddock police Officer Ray Marr said.

Marr said they were forced to crawl on their stomachs because of the thick smoke and strong flames.

“Smoke was coming out heavy. We could see 2 feet in front of us, and it was grey-black with flames to the right coming from the kitchen,” Braddock police Officer Clarence Gunter Jr. said.

Marr said he eventually felt the woman’s foot.

“I grabbed her nightgown first, and that ripped. Then, I grabbed her by the arms and just wrenched her off the coach. I dragged her out,” Marr said.

Marr credited everyone who helped with the rescue.

“I got behind her to inch her along the way. We kind of took shifts getting her out of there,” Rankin police Officer Brennan Thrower said.

Emergency dispatchers said several people, including officers, were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

“They make very little money and have no benefits. These guys are doing it out of service and because they are exceptional human beings,” Braddock Mayor John Fetterman said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

WPXI