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Woman Saved From New Jersey House Fire By Heroic Cancer Survivor

MILLTOWN, NJ (CBSNewYork) -- A cancer survivor turned into a hero when he raced into a burning home in New Jersey.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, he ricked his own life to save a stranger.

The man who no one recognized is now a hero after jumping from his car to rescue a stranger from a fire. The burning home on Kulthau Ave in Milltown was billowing smoke when he sprang into action.

"I was on my stoop and there was a gentleman in a car that I don't think lived there," a neighbor said.

The drama unfolded on December 12. Gene Rickle disappeared after the rescue, never to be thanked for his heroism.

"I saw a woman come out the front door look disoriented and go back inside the house. So, I pulled in the driveway, got on the front porch, and told her her house is on fire and asked if anyone else was in the house," Rickle said.

The woman, whose identity is unknown, rented the property. Neighbors say they have not seen her since the incident. She was alone in the house at the time,but her cat and dog perished.

Milltown's fire chief is grateful for Rickle's efforts.

"This holiday season, his good deeds, actions allowed a family to spend Christmas and the holidays together. So, we want to say thank you to him," Chief John Bicsko said.

"I just went up the steps and did what I think anyone self-respecting person would do if they saw someone in distress, which is to help," Rickle said.

Rickles plans to attend a town council meeting where the fire chief will thank him publicly for his selfless act.

The woman was brought to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick where she was treated for smoke inhalation.

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