NY Firefighters Rescue Woman Hanging Out Window as Flames Encroach

March 16, 2023
Central Islip firefighters threw a ladder to the second floor to reach the victim.

A Long Island woman has a future, thanks to two Center Islip firefighters.

She was hanging out a second-floor window as flames were growing behind her, ABC 7 reported.

Firefighters Juan Sanchez and Ken Ruddick were the ones who threw the ladder and went up after her.

"She was gasping for air and it was obvious she was in distress," Ruddick said adding that time was of the essence. Had it been a minute or so later, there may have been a different outcome.

Sanchez, who was first up the ladder with Ruddick right behind him, said: "especially with wind-driven fires, seconds count, seconds count."

Two police officers had attempted the rescue, but could reach her with the ladder they obtained. Two other residents escaped on their own.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

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