Neighbors rush inside burning Providence building to save residents

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Neighbors off Douglas Avenue in Providence rushed into a burning building Tuesday night to save its occupants.

After the four inside were accounted for, one first responder saved the life of another.

Jason lives near the building above Uncle Ben Liquor Store and noticed roaring flames pouring out its windows. He rushed in alongside two other neighbors.

“There were flames literally everywhere,” said Jason. “All you can feel is all that smoke going into your lungs. It’s very harsh — We grabbed as many people as we could.”

Jason and his neighbor, Mario, searched for occupants of the burning building’s second floor.

Another neighbor, Ebony, searched on the first floor, eventually becoming light headed and passing out.

Jason jumped into action a second time, explaining, “I picked her up and grabbed her by the arms. She couldn’t walk.”

All three neighbors and first responders made it out safely.

The four residents of the apartment complex were all accounted for, but two remain hospitalized after jumping from a second-floor window.

According to police documents, Justin Johnson of Providence was arrested in connection to the incident.

Residents in the area claimed he started the fire.