Dramatic rescue at North Brunswick apartment fire caught on camera

A dramatic rescue during an apartment fire Tuesday in North Brunswick was caught on video. The fire broke out Tuesday morning at Building 19 of the Willowbrook Apartments in North Brunswick. During

News 12 Staff

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Nov 19, 2015, 8:37 AM

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Updated 3,345 days ago

A dramatic rescue during an apartment fire Tuesday in North Brunswick was caught on video.

The fire broke out Tuesday morning at Building 19 of the Willowbrook Apartments in North Brunswick. During that fire, a woman became trapped on a balcony with her baby and had to jump to safety.

Tina Zaccagna was walking by the fire at the time and caught the rescue on camera. She says she heard the woman screaming for assistance.

"She started saying 'Help! Help!" We realized somebody was up there. The fire was raging so evilly," Zaccagna says.

Zaccagna recorded video of the rescue. A North Brunswick police officer called out to the woman to toss her baby down to him and then to jump herself. The officer caught both the woman and the child.

"It was absolutely terrifying," says Zaccagna. "I did not have an escape plan for a fire, but believe me I have one now."

After the woman jumped to safety, Zaccagna says that she comforted her. The woman and her baby were brought to an area hospital to be checked out. Both were expected to be OK.

The blaze destroyed eight apartment units in Building 19 and displaced 21 residents. On Wednesday, they were trying to pick up the pieces and get what they could from the damaged units.

Officials say that it is unlikely residents will be allowed back Thursday, as the expected heavy rain could jeopardize the stability of the building.