2 troopers hailed heroes for burning home rescue

Two New Jersey state troopers and a Mount Olive police officer are being hailed as heroes after they rescued a woman from a burning home. Troopers Adam Gonzalez and Justin Storie were off duty and

News 12 Staff

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Apr 30, 2015, 7:02 AM

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Updated 3,375 days ago

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Two New Jersey state troopers and a Mount Olive police officer are being hailed as heroes after they rescued a woman from a burning home.

Troopers Adam Gonzalez and Justin Storie were off duty and carpooling home Tuesday evening, when they saw a fire at a home in Flanders along Route 206.

They stopped to see if they could help, and that's when they heard the screams of Josephine Maulbeck, 51, coming from inside.

"When we were able to physically see her through smoke, she collapsed," says Trooper Gonzalez. "She fell towards us down the stairs. We pulled her, and that's when we dragged her out of the house."

A Mount Olive police officer helped the troopers aid Maulbeck, while firefighters doused the flames and kept them from destroying the home.

The troopers say the rescue is all part of their job.

"I know any of the guys...would have done the exact same thing," says Trooper Storie.

The investigation into the cause of the fire led county prosecutors to the victim's relative, John Maulbeck Jr., 23.

According to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, he is facing arson and criminal mischief charges. He is being held at the Morris County Jail pending bail.

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