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Heroes rush into burning building, save senior citizens

Posted at 9:48 PM, Jul 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-03 11:47:39-04

"I ran in there and knocked on her door," said Kenneth Breaux.  

Proulx and his brother Joseph Jones ran into the West Manor Apartments in Pontiac after seeing smoke coming from the roof of the building Saturday evening. 

"My step mother Shirley Jones lives there and we ran up a fire escape to get to her. We knocked on the door, but she never answered," Breaux explained. 

Joseph Jones said his brother helped four senior citizens escape from the burning building. He said he helped three get out.

"I had to carry one woman down the stairs because she couldn't walk," said Jones. 

After helping seven people get out safely, the brothers said they couldn't go back inside because, by that time, that side of the building was engulfed in flames. 

The fire broke out at the senior apartment complex just after 4 p.m. Saturday. 

According to its website, there are 47 residential housing units. 

Right now, it's unclear how many people were inside the complex during the time of the fire, but we've learned everyone made it out safely. 

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says a resident was using a barbecue grill on his balcony when it caught fire.

The incident has been ruled accidental.