Firefighters pull woman from burning Petersburg home

PETERSBURG, Va. -- Firefighters pulled an elderly woman from a burning home Thursday afternoon in Petersburg.

Firefighters responded to the 3300 block of Francis Street after community members reported the fire and the possibility that someone was inside the home.

WTVR

The woman was taken to the hospital, where she is remains in critical condition, according to the City of Petersburg.

Pedro Aldana, who was working near the home, was first on the scene and was able to pry open a back window of the burning house with a knife.

"I heard her yell back," Aldana said. "She said she couldn't see me and it was completely up in smoke."

With a better idea of the woman's location, some firefighters went through the back door. Others, like Richard Hurdle, entered the home through the back window Aldana pried open.

"Fire was going through the roof, but we had people in the back still talking to her, so we knew he was alive," Hurdle said.

The firefighters were able to safely pass the woman to a crew outside through the back window.

"Surreal, was surreal," said Battalion Chief Wilbur Barlow. "This was my first ever live rescue in my 25-year career."

Battalion Chief AG Ross said the team carried her right to the ambulance.

"This is why we're here, to save lives," Ross said. "These guys proved it today, that they can do it."

"Our prayers are for the victim and her family," said Captain Dan Macaluso. "That's where my prayers are right now. I hope she makes a good recovery."

The fire was marked under control at 2:20 p.m., though a ruptured natural gas line at the house caused the fire to continue until Columbia Gas arrived and shut off the valve, according to the City of Petersburg. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical.

The fire displaced two adults and three children, who are now being assisted by the Red Cross.

This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have information to share.

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