Two Summit police detectives rescued a toddler and a woman from a house fire in Newark on Aug. 29 while they were searching for a stolen vehicle near the city's South Ward.

Detective Ruddy Garita and Detective Darin Sliker saw heavy smoke coming from the second floor of a house, where a woman and child were screaming for help.

Without hesitation, one officer carried the baby to safety while the other, with Newark police officers, forced entry to clear the rest of the house.

I mean that's why we got into this profession, Detective Garita said. to help out people, that extends the jurisdiction lines. You know, it doesn't matter if you're on duty or off duty or anywhere, in Summit or out of Summit, we're going to do as much as we can to help. And luckily, it worked out here.

The Summit Police Department commended both detectives, calling their actions nothing short of heroic.