Video: New Jersey officer climbs burning building to help save family

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (WTXF) - Authorities in North Brunswick, New Jersey have released breathtaking body camera footage of their officers' lifesaving efforts while responding to a house fire over the weekend.

According to police, officers were dispatched to Albury Way and Kempsey Drive for reports of multiple buildings on fire.

Officers arrived on the scene and found heavy flames coming from a building, and immediately began trying to evacuate the building. During their search for residents, the officers found two children and their grandparents stranded on a second-floor balcony, trapped by the flames.

Body camera video shows one of the officers climbing up to the balcony and dropped the children into the arms of his fellow officers on the ground below. The officer then helped the grandparents over the railing where the officers pulled them to safety.

No serious injuries were reported as a result of the fire, and the fire department was eventually able to get the fire under control.

The North Brunswick Police Department also credited an off-duty NY/NJ Port Authority Police officer who lives nearby for helping in catching one of the children.

The cause of the fire was deemed accidental, likely started by holiday decorations.

The department hopes the video will serve as a reminder to be safe with holiday decorations.

"This should serve as a reminder to please be safe with any Holiday decorations and or religious articles. We always recommend using something other than candlelit items if they will be out of view at all. Please keep all smoke detectors in good working order and batteries fresh," the department wrote in a Facebook post.