Neighbor hailed as hero after rescuing woman from St. James house fire

ST. JAMES (WABC) -- Three people are recovering and a neighbor is being praised as a hero after fire burned through their home in Suffolk County.

The fire started just after 2 a.m. Sunday on Marquette Place in St. James.

Keith Williams ran into the blistering flames without time to think, plan or worry. He just went in after he heard a woman might still be trapped.

"She was on the ground when I found her," he said, "I couldn't even see. I kinda felt her in the doorway."

Now, as friends and neighbors recall the frightening night, it is hard to imagine how the pile of charred rubble was once home to a family and a gathering place for friends.

The woman Williams helped rescue reportedly suffered serious burns and was rushed to the hospital, while others in her family were treated for smoke inhalation. There is some indication the victim may have gone back in her house to save her pet, and that's when the smoke and flames closed in on her.

Firefighters worked to get the fire under control, but say the house was completely gutted by the flames.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.