Firefighters from Ladder 41 rescued two civilians on June 20 from an apartment fire on White Plains Road in the Bronx.

At approximately 11:20 a.m. firefighters responded to a fire in a three-story apartment building. Although there was no sign of visible fire, firefighters from Ladder 41 said they encountered a heavy smoke condition.

They made their way to the second floor, where the fire was located, and Capt. Glenn Fritchett of Ladder 41 directed Firefighters Jeff Rivera and Sal Maita to force open the apartment door.

Inside, the team located an unconscious victim between the apartment door and the kitchen. The firefighters removed the woman to the hallway and performed CPR before carrying her downstairs.

EMTs Jeff Mottarella and Christopher McManus from Station 20 transported the victim to Jacobi Medical Center in critical condition.

At the same time, Firefighter John Hessler of Ladder 41 saw a man on the second floor who needed assistance. He set up a portable ladder and climbed up to help the man escape the fire apartment through the window.