HOMESTEAD (KDKA) — Thanks to the action of two local police officers, a woman who uses a wheelchair was able to escape when fire broke out at her house in Homestead early this morning.

With smoke and fire billowing out of the home on the 300-block of 16th Avenue, a woman – confined to a wheelchair – was trapped inside. The two police officers ran in to help.

“Officer Ilgenfritz as well as Munhall Officer Shipley both literally picked her up and brought her out on the porch to get her away from the structure,” said Chief Jeffrey DeSimone, of the Homestead Police Department.

Terry Weaver, the woman’s husband, says he is happy that his wife and four kids got out of the home safely and is thankful to the police and fire department for all of their help, but says the damage done is costly.

Weaver says he just took his kids school shopping and feared that it was all destroyed. They had no time to grab anything on their way out. In fact, they never even woke up.

“One of my neighbors woke us up… she came banging on the door,” said Weaver. “[The] right hand side of the house was engulfed in fire.”

According to the Homestead fire chief, the blaze was contained to the side wall, but reached three floors. The cause may have been electrical.

Weaver, trying to grasp the loss, says that his wife and family are just wondering what to do next.

“She’s a little shook up, as you can imagine. We’re all shook up here,” he said. “We just need some help moving forward.”

The Red Cross is helping the family with food and shelter.

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