GLENDORA, N.J. --
Two children were in critical condition after a house fire that injured five people.
Firefighter said flames trapped two boys, ages 5 and 2, in the basement of the house.
"I heard the screaming, 'Help me, my baby is in the basement,'" said Lisa Larrow, a neighbor. "I saw the smoke and called 911."
A mailman said he witnessed the mother rescue the older child. He said he would never forget what he saw or the sound of the 5-year-old crying for water.
"His face was burning, his shoulder was burning," said Edgar Dizon.
The 2-year-old remained trapped in the basement.
Two Gloucester Township police officers tried to save him but suffered smoke inhalation.
Two firefighters rescued the child, said Chief Fire Marshal Paul Hartstein.
"It's a scary thing for a mom to go through," Larrow said.
Fire officials said the children were playing in the basement when the fire started. Both boys were badly burned over a large portion of their bodies.
The children were transferred to St. Christopher's Hospital For Children in Hunting Park.
The children's mother suffered smoke inhalation. She was in critical condition at Temple University Hospital.
The police officers were treated and released.
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