Man Runs Into Burning Building, Risks Life To Save Others During 3-Alarm Fire In New Jersey

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork)-- A man is being called a hero after a massive fire ripped through a New Jersey apartment building.

He spoke exclusively to CBS2 about the moment he knew people were in danger.

The flames began just before 6 p.m. at a house on Charles Street in Bloomfield, officials said. The fire is believed to have started on the second floor of a vacant apartment.

Good samaritan Roy Campbell works at Mario's Auto Clinic, a car repair shop right behind the building.

He saw smoke and fire pouring from the building and called for help.

"By the time I dialed 911 and looked up again, the flames were big," he said.

But that's not all, when he noticed part of the roof collapsing, he risked his life and ran inside the burning building.

"I said somebody has got to be in that house. So I went running around the corner, opened the door and yelled, 'Fire, everybody get out!'" he said.

Everyone got out safe and sound, including Saba Amyr who grabbed her two daughters and ran to safety as fast as they could.

"I realized that somebody is screaming, 'the building is on fire everybody come out,'" she said. "I didn't take anything. I had no shoes. Neighbors were so good to us, they just gave us shoes."

The mayor of Bloomfield said two six-family buildings were damaged in the fire. He also said he is going to make sure Campbell gets honored for his selflessness.

Red Cross said it is assisting six families displaced by the fire.