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Off-Duty Police Officer Helps Rescue 2 From Roof Of Burning Home In Lyndhurst

LYNDHURST, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An off-duty police officer is being hailed a hero after helping to rescue two people trapped on the roof of a burning home in northern New Jersey early Saturday.

Lyndhurst police said officer Nick Abruscato was driving down Willow Avenue when he saw smoke coming from the home shortly before 4 a.m., The Record reported.

Abruscato reported the fire and several other officers soon arrived on scene.

The man and woman trapped on the roof then told first responders the man who owned the home might still be inside.

Abruscato and another officer tried to enter the home's lower levels to search for the homeowner while two officers used a rescue ladder to get the two off the roof.

Heavy smoke and fire forced Abruscato and the other officer back, but soon after it was determined the man was not in the home.

The man and the woman were treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported in the blaze.

The pair told authorities that they woke to the smell of smoke and tried to go downstairs to alert the homeowner, but were forced back upstairs by the heavy smoke.

Authorities believe the fire may have started in the basement, but the cause remains under investigation.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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