A family of eight, including two young twins, escaped a burning home in Paterson, New Jersey before dozens of firefighters were able to knock out the flames Friday evening, officials and the family say.
It's not clear what caused the blaze at the three-story home at 411 East 37th St. The family in the home said the flames engulfed the house from the ground up, possibly starting in the kitchen.
The homeowner was seen being taken away on a stretcher, overcome after losing her home. Her nephew told NBC 4 New York he was able to help get the family out.
"We were trying to figure out what was going on, and thats when I noticed the walls on fire," said Demarius Hurd. "That's when ... took the kids and ran out."
Hurd got everyone out, including his 3-year-old twin godchildren. His sister was still on the third floor before he yelled to her to get out, and she made it out safely.
More than 40 firefighters responded and knocked out the fire. There was some minor damage to an adjacent home.
Officials say 12 people were displaced in the blaze, including the eight who managed to safely get out.
Local
Councilman William McKoy noted it was the third fire in the area in about a month and a half, the earlier ones happening just two blocks away.
