"It was scary:" Two suffer serious injuries after being pulled from house fire at S. 5th Place & Arthur

MILWAUKEE -- Two people were pulled from a burning home on Milwaukee's south side are lucky to be alive. A fire tore through a duplex near S. 5th Place and Arthur Avenue Friday night, April 29th.

fire near S. 5th Place and Arthur Avenue

"All of a sudden you hear sirens and people coming outside," said Beba Castro, neighbor.

Saturday morning, neighbors on S. 5th Place recall intense moments from the night before. Friday, firefighters swarmed a home after getting a call the second floor was engulfed in flames.

"We immediately went into an offensive interior attack," said Deputy Chief Terry Lintonen, Milwaukee Fire Department.

Once inside, firefighters found two people on the second floor overcome by smoke and unconscious.

fire near S. 5th Place and Arthur Avenue

"Both of those patients once removed from the building were determined to be pulseless and not breathing," said Chief Lintonen.

"It was scary," said Robert Zimmer.

fire near S. 5th Place and Arthur Avenue

First responders were able to make a dramatic rescue.

"Both of them were revived here on the scene and both were transported to local hospitals," said Zimmer.

One of the people resuscitated was taken to a hyperbaric chamber -- while the other was in serious condition.

The rescue continued as firefighters saved a small dog from the melting structure. It is now in MADACC's care.

"I'm just glad they are OK. It could have been much worse," said Zimmer.

An amazing story of survival considering the damage done.

fire near S. 5th Place and Arthur Avenue

"Second floor and attic sustained pretty significant fire damage. The first floor will have water damage and smoke damage," said Lintonen.

Fire officials say there were no working smoke detectors in the home and the blaze is another reminder of how important it is to be alerted early.