PASADENA, Texas – A man was killed and three others, including a baby, were injured in an apartment fire in Pasadena.
"I love her so much. When I got there and saw the police officer with the baby, I thought she was still in there and her cousin was still in there. The apartment was fully involved. Flames were shooting out of the window,” said Marco Camarena.
Camarena's girlfriend, Ruth Garcia, 26, was inside the apartment building when it caught fire about 4 a.m. Friday. Her baby son, Martin, was with her.
"I just felt useless. I felt useless, because I'm a firefighter,” said Camarena.
Garcia, Martin and her cousin, Jesus Ramirez, narrowly escaped the flames at the Maple Trail Apartments on Burke Road.
The mother was forced to drop her son out of a window to police officers down below.
Breaking News: 1 person dead after apt. fire in Pasadena. A baby is thrown from the window & mom jumps out. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/rkuVhRw5uj
— Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) February 19, 2016
“I told her just to stick herself as far out the window as she could with the baby and just let go, I'll catch him,” said Officer John Lisano with Pasadena Police Department.
“I thank God the police officer was there. I thank him so much for being there and convincing her that he could help her out," said Camarena.
Crews rushed all three to the hospital. Doctors released the baby later Friday and the mother is expected to leave Saturday. Her cousin was in critical condition.
Another resident didn't make it out. Family members said David Scott Brown, 62, died. He was a father, brother and friend to many.
“He was just a good guy. If he had anything you needed, he'd give it to you,” said Gabriel Burrow.
Family trapped inside deadly apt fire. Woman heard yelling "my baby, my baby" Cause of the fire still unknown @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/jxux5g4XWL
— Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) February 19, 2016
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Ramirez remained in critical condition in ICU. He cut arteries in his arm, may have a fractured back and other broken bones from the fall.
Baby Martin was released from the hospital Friday and Garcia was expected to leave on Saturday.
Garcia and her son lost most of their belongings. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family. They can also donate at Taqueria Puro Jalisco at 1629 Richey St. in Pasadena.
Fire crews moving out, arson investigators moving in after deadly apt fire. 4 people hurt including a baby @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/H8z1Opk7vB
— Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) February 19, 2016