Never mind that Jamesburg's volunteer fire department is right next door, there was little time to save anyone. Two women and three young children, all under the age of 2, were stuck inside.
The fire nearly took out Ellen Quinlan's home next door.
"I opened my eyes and is saw the orange glow coming in my bedroom window," she said.
The next thing she saw was her 28-year-old neighbor, Jaimie Lowenberg, hanging outside her attic window with her 10-month-old baby boy in her hands, and suddenly a stranger climbing up to a ledge.
"And she had the baby by the hands and I think he could probably just barely grab the baby's feet. She was literally dangling the baby," added Quinlan.
Police were just happy the man was in the area.
"Thank god he was there...he made a difference, I think. Most people don't step in, but he did and he risked his life, to try to help them," said Lt. James Craporotta, of the Jamesburg Police Department.
But Lowenberg could not save herself, and neighbors say she either jumped or fell to her death. Her sister and her two children made it out alive.
Neighbors said glass was shattering and flames were shooting upwards like no one had ever seen.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, and the injuries of those rescued are severe.
All three young children and Lowenberg's sister remain in the hospital, in critical condition.
The prosecutor's office is also investigating the fire.
