Neighbor saved family from raging SW Dade house fire
MIAMI - A southwest Miami-Dade family was saved from a raging fire in their home by a neighbor.
Jacek Bogdanienko and his wife were returning from a New Year's Eve celebration in Miami Beach around 2 a.m. when they noticed a fire crawling up the wall of a home in the 4500 block of SW 128th Place.
"It was not a grill fire, but a really high fire, the roof was on fire. It was the wall on fire," he said.
His wife went to the to alert those inside.
"She knows that inside there are dogs, and she started knocking really hard," said Jacek Bogdanienko.
Stacy Ellis, who was staying in the home, said he was beginning to fall asleep when he heard a loud banging on a door.
"Well, we were all in bed and I was kind of in and out of sleep. I was watching television and someone knocked on the door. I knew it wasn't a normal knock so I ran to the door and opened it and they showed us where the house was on fire, on the north end of the house. That's basically it, they saved our lives, and I thank God they were passing by."
"I feel nothing like a hero, I was thinking all the time how I can help more," said Bogdanienko.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived and quickly put out the fire. Ellis said because of the actions of the neighbor everyone in the home was able to get out safely.
Those who live in the area say the owner is a long time resident and their hearts go out to her.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
