18-year-old woman rescued by New Windsor police during fire
Officials say the victims were trapped in a top-floor apartment at Continental Manor Friday around 7:30 a.m.
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Seven New Windsor police officers are being hailed as heroes for helping an 18-year-old trapped during a second-alarm fire at an apartment complex.
Officials say two occupants were trapped in a top floor apartment at Continental Manor Friday around 7:30 a.m. One person jumped from a balcony located at the rear of the unit and the other was helped to safety by police, who used a retractable ladder that is carried in patrol vehicles, according to New Windsor Police Chief Dan Valeri.
Valeri tells News 12 that seven officers responded to the scene at 276 Temple Hill Road and sprang into action shortly before Vails Gate firefighters arrived.
Police say one officer tried to get into the building first but was met with heavy smoke and flames. They were then alerted by the victim who jumped that an 18-year-old woman was still trapped and needed help at the back of the building, according to police.
Frightened neighbors say it was a chaotic scene.
“We heard screaming and banging. I look out the front window and I see people running and I just see black smoke from my window,” says Joe Digregorio.
Video of the blaze was given to News 12 and shows flames several feet high from a top floor window.
A witness tells News 12 several residents were banging on doors to alert neighbors to evacuate.
“It was very frightening because everyone was worried about it spreading,” says one resident who asked not to be identified.
Vails Gate Fire Chief John Rindt says the two residents inside the unit that caught fire were taken the hospital and sources say they suffered smoke inhalation.
Rindt says blaze was contained to one apartment with the help of four mutual aid departments. Neighbors say several units were damaged by water and smoke.
“They say it won’t be livable until eight to 12 months,” Digregorio says, who’s displaced.
