Firefighters Rescue Woman From Burning Kensington Rowhome, Perform CPR On Her On Sidewalk

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Firefighters rescued a woman from a burning rowhome in Kensington and performed CPR on her on the sidewalk. Firefighters were called to the 3300 block of North Howard Street, around 2:15 p.m.

A woman who had to be rescued by EMS is in critical condition. Assistant Fire Chief Harry Bannan says an off-duty firefighter heard the commotion and went over to try and help.

"The off-duty firefighter then went to the second-floor to try to locate the victim. He could hear moaning but there was heavy smoke, he couldn't see, and there was fire he could see in the second-floor front property," Bannan said. "After losing his breath, he came back downstairs, got a breath of air and then went back and made a second attempt. This time he was able to reach the second-floor rear bedroom but he couldn't maintain his position."

Firefighters were able to get here within minutes of the first 911 call and got the woman out of the back bedroom on the second floor.

There was another woman also in the home at the time. She was able to get out on her own with her dog in her hands.

However, she had a really bad fall once outside and hurt her right hand and knee. She was also taken to the hospital.

Neighbors described what they heard before seeing the blaze erupt.

"We heard, like, boom, and I looked and I saw the fire coming out of the house from upstairs," neighbor Lourdes Adames said. "So I ran because I know them, and as soon as I looked, I saw her coming out with her dogs. She was running to next door and the kids started running this way. Then I called 911."

The cause of the fire is still unclear. The fire marshal is investigating.

No fire alarms were found in the home.

The fire was placed under control in about 20 minutes.

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