Cops Fight Smoke, Fire to Save Girls

Smoke so thick, couldn't get inside: Officers

Two quick-thinking police officers saved the lives of two girls in north Philadelphia after a fire started in their kitchen Saturday.

Officer Michael Pazden was responding to a call about a fight in north Philly when he saw a house on fire in the 2200 block of North 19th.

When he got there, Pazden couldn't open the front door.  Then he saw two girls struggling for air on the second and third floor of the house, and was able to convince the seven-year-old to jump into his arms. 

Officer Ryan Sullivan arrived shortly after and grabbed a ladder from a neighbor's house to rescue the teenager from the third floor window. 

Both girls were taken to Temple Hospital and released Saturday afternoon with minor injuries.  

Fire officials say the fire started in the kitchen and was put out within 20 minutes.  

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