An 84-year-old woman's early morning prayers helped save the lives of 11 neighbors when a fire broke out in their Jacksonville apartment building.
Carmen Rodriguez was unable to sleep at about 2 a.m. early Wednesday when she smelled smoke, went outside to investigate, and saw flames consuming her apartment building, according to the Florida Times-Union.
Her daughter, Sol Maria Cabrera, says her mother began banging on doors, waking her neighbors and shouting “get out.”
By the time firefighters arrived, all 10 adults and one child living in the complex had made it out safely.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue spokesman Tom Francis estimates damage to the building could exceed $100,000.
Cabrera says her mother often prays when she can’t sleep.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
