"Being in the basement for 3 to 4 minutes felt like 3 to 4 hour," said Mientes.
The other firefighters lowered a ladder down to the trapped men to get them out.
Firefighters rescued from burning basement
May 15, 2009 (CHICAGO)
The firefighters pulled Captain Kevin Kennelly and Lieutenant Steve Mientes out of the two-story building at 7244 S. Ashland Ave.
They had gone upstairs to make sure no one was stuck inside when the stairs collapsed under them.
They dropped several feet into the basement where the fire was still burning.
