Chelsea Police Officer Helps Woman Escape Burning Building

CHELSEA (CBS) – A Chelsea police officer knocked down a resident's door to help her escape from her apartment after he came across a late night fire.

Officer Edward Noftle was on his way to another call when he saw smoke coming out of a building on Orange Street around 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

Residents who had already escaped the building told the officer there was still a woman inside on the second floor.

Noftle banged on the woman's door and eventually knocked it down. He then helped the 40-year-old resident get out safely.

Nine people were in the house at the time of the 2-alarm fire, including four children. Everyone was able to escape without injury.

It took firefighters about an hour to knock down the flames.

Fire officials said it does not appear the home is a total loss.

The cause of the blaze is not currently known.

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• Chelsea