PASSAIC (WABC) --
The 4-alarm fire began shortly before 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of 11 Rosz Place, and spread to two other homes in Passaic.
The woman was screaming for help from an attic window. Firefighters raised an aluminum ladder to the side of the house, climbed to the attic, and brought her down the ladder.
Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion. The woman rescued was described as being 'banged up' and was also hospitalized. There is no word on her condition.
"We had a woman screaming for help, located in a third-floor window," said Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost. "The fire was located on the second and third floor when we arrived, heavy fire advancing quickly. She was exposed to direct flame, her life was certainly in jeopardy. Guys made a quick decision, put a ladder up and were able to execute a quick rescue that saved her life."
The fire badly damaged the wood frame building and damaged two homes on both sides. Witnesses described a dark haze filling the sky over several blocks.
90 firefighters battled the fire and placed it under control by about 7:15 p.m.
Six families were displaced, and the Red Cross is putting them up in temporary housing.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.