JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A teenager rescued a disabled woman from a burning home in the Regency area early Tuesday morning.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was called to a home on Eaton Avenue, just west of the Southside Connector, at about 6:40 a.m. in reference to a fire.
The home is located in the Woodland Acres community.
When fire crews arrived, extensive fire was shown coming from the single-story home, according to JFRD.
A 67-year-old woman was inside the home during the fire. A teen who lives at the home was on the porch and went in to help rescue her from the flames.
"I had to go in and try to help her, but it was too much, too much smoke," said 16-year-old Cody Williams. "So I had to go around to the other side and bust the window to get her out. I had to pull her out of her bed while she was asleep. She couldn't walk because she's disabled."
The woman was transported to UF Health Jacksonville with a burn to her arm but was expected to be OK.
JFRD said four people lived in the home. They lost many of their belongings in the fire.
"We lost our TV, clothes. I got to start buying new clothes, furniture, find another place to stay," said Williams.
Williams said firefighters did a good job getting the fire out by 7 a.m., and he's glad he could help rescue the woman.
"I'm thankful for God for giving me the courage to help this old lady get out. I'm really thankful for everything that happened today," said Williams.
JFRD is still investigating but believes the fire was accidental.
"It started in another area of the house. You could lend it to the contents in the house. I don't think this was arson in any way. I don't think it was intentional," said JFRD District Chief Roger Lewis.
The State Fire Marshal was called to assist with determining the cause of the fire.