Trapped Saugus Firefighters Saved From Huge House Fire

SAUGUS (CBS) – Three Saugus firefighters were pulled safely out of a huge three-alarm fire early Wednesday morning, right off of Route 1.

Firefighters from several towns were called to a house on Essex Street just before 5 a.m. and found it quickly engulfed in flames.

A family of three was inside as the fire started, but they escaped.

However, Saugus Fire Chief Michael Newbury said three of his men were trapped inside.

"The firefighters that went upstairs were overwhelmed by fire and heat.  They were trying to get their way down the stairs and in that time frame they were working so hard they ran out of air," Newbury told reporters.

"A call for a mayday came in for one of my firefighters and I'll say a fire captain from Saugus, a fire lieutenant from Malden and a firefighter from Malden were able to extricate three of our firefighters from the building and they were all out safely."

"Luckily the fire captain from Saugus was at the bottom of the stairs, pulled two guys out, and the firefighter from Malden pulled our firefighter out the front window."

Newbury told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens, "I would say the firefighters on scene definitely save the lives of my men."

Three firefighters have head and back injuries, as well as minor ear and neck burns. There is no word yet on a cause.

The off ramp to Essex Street off Route 1 north has been closed because of the fire and the cleanup. Firefighters were still putting water on the roof of the home at noon Wednesday.

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No other information is available at this point in the investigation.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports: