HAZELWOOD, Mo. — Latonya Hart said she woke up to black smoke filling her home Friday morning.
She was home alone with her 3-year-old granddaughter, Harmony, and she said her first reaction was to try to get Harmony out of the house.
"She had started coughing," Hart said. "So, I picked her up and was trying to push her out the window."
Hart said a woman in the neighborhood called police when she noticed the smoke. A Hazelwood Police officer arrived at the scene and kicked the basement window in. He was able to lift Harmony out of the window, in a miraculous rescue that was all caught on camera with his body camera.
That officer worked with a neighbor to lift Hart out next. She said she and her granddaughter just have some minor cuts, but they're grateful to be alive.
"I'm just so blessed and honored that somebody seen and heard it, made a phone call and got us out of there," Hart said.
The City of Hazelwood boarded up the house and deemed it unsafe to enter. For now, Hart's family is staying at an extended stay hotel until they get more information from their renter's insurance company on what's next.
Despite losing all her family's belongings, Hart said she can't help but to smile and feel joyful.
"I'm just so grateful that we made it out and we're alive," Hart said.
Hart said fire officials told her the fire likely started from an electrical issue with an outlet in the home.
A GoFund Me page was set up to help the family get back on their feet. You can donate here.