WGN-TV reports that in Arlington Heights, Illinois the Fire Department received a 911 call about a house on fire with an elderly couple trapped inside. Rachel Marion lives next door to the 90 year old Phillip Hanson and his 85 year old wife Barbara who is in a wheelchair. Apparently he was trying to find a way to get her out since the fire was in the hallway and they couldn't get to a door. Rachel understood that the Fire Department wouldn't make it in time and since she had a sledgehammer she just smashed the bedroom window and then kept smashing below it till she could climb in and carry Barbara out.
The Fire Dept spokesperson says there's no doubt that Rachel saved their lives and is a great example to all community members that we don't have to wait for professionals in order to help. "Even the act of breaking the windows helps as it releases the smoke. They were probably less than 2 minutes from being overcome with smoke inhalation. The fact that she then put her own life is way more than any of us could ask but we're all so thankful it worked out".
Rachel says "What was I supposed to do? I see my neighbor facing death and I can help. Wouldn't anyone do the same"?