Woman Pulled From Burning Ft. Lauderdale Apartment

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Frustrated, overwhelmed and thankful. That's how a Ft. Lauderdale woman said she felt after she was rescued from her burning apartment.

The fire broke out in an end unit of a one story apartment building at 720 NW 14th Terrace.

"I heard a big boom," said Precious Corn who lives there with her sister and her sister's three children.

She said her sister and kids had left the house, but since she had the day off she was sleeping in the back bedroom.

"When I opened the door I saw flames and black smoke," said Corn. "I closed the door."

Corn said she tried to get out the window, but couldn't so she called 911.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Mike Salzano, who was on his way to work, heard the call go out on the radio and saw the smoke. When he arrived he went inside thinking there may be children inside but didn't find any.

The first police officer on the scene broke some of the windows to let smoke escape.  Corn was able to escape with some help.

"One of the neighbors busted the window and got me out," she said. "By the grace of God, I'm thankful to be here."

The police officer and Corn were both taken to Broward Health Medical Center for smoke inhalation.

Ft. Lauderdale Fire Rescue said Corn, her sister and the kids will have to temporarily find another place to stay.