Moment police officer screams 'drop the baby!' as fire destroys block of flats

dailystar.co.uk:

fire dropping his son from an open window.In the clip, filmed in New Jersey, US, police officers are running towards the apartment as the dad leans out of the window, his toddler son in his arms."Drop the baby!" yells one of the frantic police officers.A thick stream of smoke is pouring out of the open window and the father makes the decision to let his child fall into the arms of the cops reaching up from the ground.The child lands into the middle of the crowd and they catch him, much to the relief of everyone watching.Shortly after, the dad pulls himself onto the window ledge and safely drops down.The fire completely gutted Building 1 of the South Ridge Apartments on Northumberland Way, South Brunswick, after starting shortly after 8am on Monday (March 7).John Funcheon, South Brunswick Fire Marshal, said the building's fire doors had saved the dad and toddler by giving them time to escape.He said: "It was nearly 15 minutes from the first 911 call to when the dad and toddler escaped through the window."It was the closed bedroom door that kept the fire from entering the bedroom."The dad and his son had both been sleeping but, fortunately, the smell of the smoke woke them up.South Brunswick Mayor Charlie Carley said: "I am so thankful everyone made it out of the apartment building, but many lost everything."I have directed our Social Service Department to take the lead in our relief efforts."They will be providing immediate financial assistance, gift cards, and food.

Our community consistently rallies to help those in need, and we will do it again with our fire victims."The Red Cross has also been assisting the victims, but officials say more help is needed.Children who were at school at the time of the fire came home to.