NORTH BRUNSWICK — In order to save the life of herself and her child, a woman had to throw her baby down from a balcony that is one-story high to a police officer as a fire ravaged an apartment complex in North Brunswick this morning.
At approximately 8:13 a.m., the North Brunswick Police and Fire Departments were alerted to a fire at 114 Willowbrook Drive.
Upon arrival of the police department, it was confirmed that multiple housing units were on fire within Building 19.
A woman with a baby was located by a police officer standing on the one-story balcony calling for help. The officer convinced the woman to drop the baby to him, and then she jumped to him as well, according to a statement released by the office of North Brunswick Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack.
Both were transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
The Fire Department arrived and battled the blaze for several hours, keeping the fire damage to Building 19.
Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries on scene by the North Brunswick First Aid and Rescue Squad, the statement said.
Mutual aid responded to the scene from the New Brunswick, Milltown, Brookview (East Brunswick) and Franklin Park Fire Departments, as well as the Milltown First Aid Squad.
The building sustained heavy damage, and all eight units within the structure have been found to be uninhabitable. Several emergency service units still remained on scene this afternoon, conducting overhaul operations, officials said.
The incident is being investigated by the North Brunswick Fire Marshal’s Office, assisted by North Brunswick police detectives.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].