Firefighters Saved From Burning Home In Saugus

SAUGUS (CBS) - Three firefighters who were trapped inside a house fire in Saugus are alive thanks to the heroics of some of their brothers.

The firefighters had already helped get an 84-year-old, her daughter and granddaughter out safely when they became trapped in the home on Essex Street.

"I was lucky to be at that window at that time," said Gregory Jean, a 15-year Malden firefighter veteran who spotted one of them from outside.

"I reached in and said brother, give me your hand brother."

Jean says he pulled the firefighter out a living room window and he landed in some bushes.

"Within moments, we turned around and that room was fully involved and kind of, he said you saved my life and kind of embraced and went back to working, doing what we were supposed to do."

Twenty year Saugus firefighter vet Chris Rizza ran inside and pulled the two remaining trapped fighters out the front door.

"He honestly thought he was going to die in the fire and that he might not make it out he was running really low on air," Rizza said.

"I never want to see a brother or sister in harm's way ever again," Jean said.

"Firefighter Jean did an outstanding job today," said Malden Fire Chief Jack Colangeli. "We're very proud of him."

Investigators believe the fire started in the basement.