by Anton K. Nilsson and David Cruz

A three-alarm fire tore through two buildings on Decatur Avenue in Norwood early Wednesday morning injuring six, according to the fire department. The fire started around 7:30 a.m. on the second floor of 3311 Decatur Ave., a private three-story home next to a daycare center, according to witnesses. The blaze went on to consume the interior of a neighboring home, 3315 Decatur Ave., which witnesses say was abandoned at the time of the fire.

Kim Davies, a woman who lived on the third floor of 3311 Decatur Avenue, told the Norwood News that she struggled to rescue herself and her grandson, a toddler, from the flames. “It was the most frightening feeling I ever had,” Ms. Davies said, as she stood on the sidewalk alongside her family staring at the home while waiting to be allowed inside to assess the damage. “I was ready to jump, but then two Good Samaritans helped rescue me.”

Local resident Ryan Ortero said he and a friend happened to drive by the house as he noticed the plumes of smoke coming from the side. While on the phone with emergency services, Mr. Ortero tried to force his way through a locked gate wedged between the two buildings that led to a narrow alleyway. “We were trying to help the lady on the top floor, who had her baby with her. Finally she managed to get out the front door.”

Meanwhile, another woman was forced to jump from the second floor of 3311 Decatur Ave. and into the locked alleyway, breaking both her ankles as she landed on rubble. Mr. Ortero said bystanders tried to break open the gate using a rock to reach the injured woman.

Mr. Ortero was also concerned over the FDNY’s response time, arriving to the scene 20 minutes later after the 911 dispatcher was unable to locate the building that rests between 209th Street and East Gun Hill Road.

By the time the emergency services arrived, the gate had been unlocked and the heavy chain removed. “Probably someone from the landlord’s family removed the chain, so that they wouldn’t get in trouble,” Mr. Ortero said. According to a resident, the landlord of 3311 Decatur Ave., listed on city building records as Uddin Mohammod, had gone on vacation and left her son in charge of the house.

Lexus Chabert, the daughter of Kim Davies, lived on the second floor of 3311 Decatur Avenue. She was at school when she heard what had happened. According to Ms. Chabert, around a dozen people were in the house at the time of the blaze, including three toddlers.

Despite its scruffy appearance, Ms. Chabert said, the neighboring building was not completely abandoned. “I saw a man walking in and out of that house, taking out the trash every day. My mom said she saw someone get him out of there after the fire.”

One investigator noticed the home had been receiving mail.

The Red Cross worked to find shelter for the fourteen people who lost their homes in the flames. The cause of the fire is not yet known.