May 18, 2003 -- A trapped mother and her three children made a frantic cell-phone call to the Fire Department yesterday as flames engulfed their Harlem apartment.
Martha Florez, 40, was caught in a bedroom on the 17th floor of 2971 Eighth Ave. with daughter Tiffany Montanez, 13, and sons John, 8, and Jason Montanez, 7.
"The woman got on her cell phone and called the Fire Department," said FDNY Deputy Chief Robert Busch.
"She said they were trapped and they could not get past [the flames]."
The family was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Neighbors described the children as high-spirited and playful.
According to Busch, the rescue was difficult because of a moving truck and construction to the side of the building.
Fire officials said the blaze was started apparently by someone playing with matches.
Additional reporting by Philip Messing
