Cops Run Into Burning Union County Home, Rescue Sleeping Families

ELIZABETH, NJ — Two heroic Elizabeth Police Officers are being commended for their valiant actions after they disregarded their own safety by running into a burning building to wake up sleeping families and bring them out to safety.

On Saturday, Feb. 2, Elizabeth Police Officers Veronica Garcia and Mauricio Zorrila were patrolling the 400 block of Morris Avenue when they were flagged down by passerby about an active fire at 431 Morris Avenue, Elizabeth PBA Local #4 reported.

Despite heavy smoke and flames coming from the home when they arrived, Garcia and Zorrila immediately sprung into action and entered the burning building to try and find any residents inside.

Garcia and Zorrila woke up several families and evacuated them outside to safety. Heavy smoke condition forced the officers to leave the home because they were having difficulty breathing. But they kept going back into the burning building numerous times to look for more tenants, police reported.

Zorrilla even carried a 4-year-old child out of the building while Garcia helped an elderly woman outside to safety, police report.

The two-alarm fire was extinguished by numerous Elizabeth Fire Department who also battled freezing temperatures.

As a result of Garcia and Zorrila efforts, there were no injuries to reported. And there was limited damage to additional properties.

"Elizabeth PBA#4 commends Officers Garcia and Zorrilla for their valiant actions while displaying true signs of courage and bravery as they rescued the lives of numerous city residents," the PBA shared.

(Images via Elizabeth Fire Officers IAFF Local 2040)

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