Woman Rescued From Apartment Fire - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Woman Rescued From Apartment Fire

It was just before 2 this morning when firefighters at Station 27 got the call...fire coming from a unit at this apartment complex.

They could see the smoke when they pulled up. Inside an apartment ...no visibility, and no apartment signs of life.

"And we turned to go search one last bathroom and all of a sudden I heard this growl."

A sound a firefighter can not ignore it.

"Just a little moan and there was this quiet little sound and I told Larry be quiet for just a second I think I hear something."

 Of course, there were crackling sounds you'd expect from a fire, but the sound Stapleton heard was different... and his partner ?

"And he said no, no, I think it's just the fire and the steam upstairs and I said no, no, quiet for just a second and heard it one more time just a rrrrr and so I said there's someone in here."

In building 61, between a bed and closet, a woman with a weak pulse and barely alive.

"It was one of those miracle things, we were inside couldn't find anything and then I heard that growl and it's by the grace of God, because you just don't, the sound was so faint and there's so much noise in a fire and we found her."

Nothing short of a miracle.

"On the way of lifting her out, we have that firefighters prayer and part of the prayer is to help me to be aware of just the smallest little things and it did."

Perhaps the lesson is one for all of us.

"In all the years I've been on the job and all the fires I've made listening was like really? Listen are you kidding? But I heard."

It's a lot to take in...still Stapleton has another question, how is the patient?

"And just see, is she doing okay and I just want to say hi and I just want so say I'm so glad you're alive and pray with her and say thank-you and I thank God that you're alive."

The firefighters who helped in this mornings rescue had a range of experience from one year to 24, but this is one experience that will carry them a lifetime.