Neighbor Helps Rescue Girl, 7, From East Hartford Fire

A neighbor helped rescue a young girl from a fire that ripped through an East Hartford home early Sunday morning, the fire department said.

Flames and heavy smoke were seen at the home at 86 Pendleton Drive when authorities arrived around 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

An elderly women, her adult son, her nephew and a young girl lived in the home, the fire department said. The fire started while the family was sleeping.

“It was me and her father, got the key to the front door," said neighbor Jay Arcand. "There was so much smoke we just kind of leaned in and reached around and luckily she was near the front door, and we just pulled her out.”

The girl was barely conscious and was taken to Shriners Hospital in Boston in serious condition, having suffered burns to her hands and face.

The family's two dogs were also caught in the fire. One was able to be resuscitated, while the other died in the blaze.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the fire marshal.

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