BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Several families who lived in two homes on 74th Street in Dyker Heights lost everything in a massive five-alarm fire early Sunday morning.
Officials said that no lives were lost because one resident jumped into action, Piotr Orlowski, who also happens to be a firefighter with five years on the job.
His neighbors tried to get everyone to safety but Orlowski knew someone was still inside.
“I noticed that everyone was outside except for the husband the 95, 95-year-old gentleman that I say hi to. I wasn’t thinking - I guess just training I just went in there and I took a look and I found him all the way into the rear,” said Piotr Orlowski.
That neighbor’s home was where the fire originated, according to witnesses.
While firefighters from the closest firehouse responded in just minutes, the fire grew so quickly it spread next door, where Orlowski has lived for more than 15 years.
“I ran back to my own house and I told my parents there’s no time just grab, like we’re going out now,” said Orlowski.
Without any of his firefighter gear, Orlowski joined his neighbors and dozens of curious onlookers as flames consumed both buildings.
“Literally the house went up like paper. It went up so fast which was scary,” said neighbor Anna Villani.
“To see it jump from one house to another and just how quickly, how great the firefighters got it under control,” said neighbor Danita Giacomazza.
One firefighter did have to evacuate when flames grew so intense that his uniform caught fire.
According to the FDNY, six firefighters were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
“Eventually due to the many voids in the building and structural stability of the building we had to back units out and go to exterior stream,” said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Kevin Woods.
While the firefighters on scene may not have known they were trying to save the home of a fellow FDNY firefighter, they were among those who opened their wallets to help.
Someone close to the family started a GoFundMe page to help Orlowski and his family and it raised tens of thousands of dollars in just one day.