A South Jersey fourth grader is credited for helping several families escape Tuesday afternoon's fire that ravaged homes at the extended-stay "Pine Village Inn" in Browns Mills, New Jersey.
"I was just screaming ' Get out! Get out! Get out, now!" Nicole Gemignani told FOX 29.
"I knocked on people's doors and I pushed people down the steps so they could get down faster," recalled Gemignani.
"I ran to her and hugged her," said fire victim and friend Marcia Vaughn as she hugged Nicole. "I said it's going to be okay. Thank you for saving all of us."
"She ran to everyone's door and said get out! There's a fire, said Vaughn. "She pushed one of her friends down the stairs."
That friend was Katelynn Perrone.
"I was going upstairs to see if anyone was cooking or burning something. And then as soon as I get upstairs, she's coming down and like pushing me down, yelling get out, get out, there's a fire...I was shocked. She got me out. I'm lucky for her," Perrone said.
"I just thought about other people," said Nicole. I didn't want my friends to get hurt and everything."
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire that officials say started in the unit right beneath Nicole's, then spread, destroying all 14-units in the two story building.
The pint-sized hero says, sure she was scared. But her compassion and bravery kicked in thanks to living in a family full of firefighters
that includes her brother T. J.
"We taught her make sure other people get out. But you gotta take care of yourself too and make sure you get out as well."
Sunday, June 16 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-06-16 14:19:08 GMT
"We're glad to help. The best thing we did was build this thing (Margaritaville) in Atlantic City," Jimmy Buffet took the stage with those words, then started belting out his famous tunes, christening
Jimmy Buffet performed to thousands of people kick starting the summer beach season. His new Margaritaville is part of one resorts plan to appeal to more people.
Saturday, June 15 2013 10:22 AM EDT2013-06-15 14:22:47 GMT
Marching from Love Park to Governor Corbett's Center City office--students, teachers, parents and members of the faith based community chanted the words they held up on one of their signs: "SOS: Save Our
Philadelphia City Schools is facing a $300 million dollar deficit. Marchers took their message to Governor Corbett's office, hoping the district will be fully funded
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Nicole Gemignani points to some of the rubble left from Tuesday's fire.
