Construction Workers Evacuate Sleeping Residents From Burning Cambridge Home
CAMBRIDGE (CBS) - Quick action by construction workers saved some lives in Cambridge Tuesday morning.
Flames broke out inside a 2-and-a-half story apartment house on Reservoir Street just before 8 a.m. while three people were sleeping on the second floor.
A group of road workers noticed the small porch fire in the back of the house. While one called 911, others ran inside and started knocking on doors.
"Just in time," construction worker Jose Mendoza told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. "They came out in short pants and everything. I told them, 'Get out your house is on fire.'"
"He basically rang the bell, told us to get out, there's a fire, just get out. So I told my roommates immediately to get out," one of the three residents told WBZ's Carl Stevens.
Everyone inside escaped and no one was hurt.
"You have to do what you have to do to get people to safety. You don't even think, you just go in there and make sure everybody's safe. This is our fourth year on the job, I know the people in this neighborhood," said construction worker Mike Doherty.
There was a brief scare when one firefighter was trapped in a mayday situation, but he was able to get out of the home. Two firefighters ended up with minor injuries.
The roof collapsed and damage to the home is extensive.
There's no word yet on a cause.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports