Watch Newark Cops Rescue 76-Year-Old Woman From Fire

NEWARK, NJ — Newark public safety officials have released video footage of an emergency rescue that took place during a fire on North 6th Street last weekend. The blaze caused multiple injuries, and forced four families to relocate.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, emergency responders got a call about a fire at a three-story, wood-frame residential building around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday.

As firefighters combatted the blaze, a pair of Newark police officers, Roberto Vera and Alicia Lauderdale, began searching the area for possible victims that needed to be evacuated. After knocking on apartment doors, the officers located a 76-year-old woman on the third floor.

When he saw the woman was having trouble walking, Vera immediately put her on his shoulders and carried her down three flights of stairs, getting a key assist from Lauderdale. Together, the officers moved the woman to a safe location across the street, authorities said.

The two-alarm fire was placed under control at 3:19 a.m.

Vera and Lauderdale were treated for smoke inhalation at University Hospital and released.

Another person trapped in the building jumped to safety from a rear, upper window. They were transported to University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, authorities said.

In addition, a firefighter suffered a minor injury, was treated at the scene and released, authorities said.

Four families, including 11 adults and six children, were relocated after the fire, authorities said.

The Newark Fire Division’s arson unit is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

“I commend officers Vera and Lauderdale for their quick-thinking and for treating this resident as they would a family member,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

“As the fire was spreading to nearby homes, this senior resident could have been trapped had it not been for the heroic efforts of these two selfless officers,” Ambrose said.

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