Dad Throws Child Out Of Window To Escape Fire In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Firefighters in South Brunswick saved a father and child from a blaze in South Brunswick, on Monday morning.

At 8:17 am Monday morning, South Brunswick Police received numerous 911 calls reporting a fire in building 1 of the South Ridge Apartment Complex off of Route 522.

On arrival, officers and firefighters found heavy fire pushing out of the second and third-floor apartments.

A man was seen sticking his head out of a second-floor window of the apartment which was on fire. Sergeant William Merkler, Patrolman First Class Ryan Bartunek, Detective Sergeant John Penney, and Fire Chief Chris Perez ran below the window from where the man threw a child out.

The police officers and firefighters caught the child. Seconds later, the father too jumped headfirst from the second-floor window and was caught by officers, police said.

Watch the rescue captured on a body-worn camera:

Both the child and father received only minor injuries, according to police.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control. They are currently on scene along with South Brunswick Fire Prevention, investigating the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross is on the scene helping nearly 50 people who have been displaced by the blaze.

The police are expected to release more information later today.

All three South Brunswick fire companies — Monmouth Junction, Kendall Park, and Kingston responded to the fire.

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