South Side apartment fire victim, 77, thanks CFD firefighters who saved her life

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The survivor of a fire recently got the chance to personally thank first responders who saved her life.

Engine 115 received the call just before 9 a.m. that day.

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Chicago firefighters responded to a Roseland apartment building, where thick black smoke was billowing from every rear window.

Beatrice Davidson, 77, lived in one of the units.

"I went to the back porch, opened the door, and I saw this black smoke. And I was 'oh God,' and so I grabbed the towel and wet and put it on my face. I was trying to walk out," Davidson said.

She was overcome by smoke by the time firefighters arrived.

"We encountered heavy smoke and fire coming out of the first-floor kitchen. We then made our way up to the second floor. As we were going to the second floor, we found Beatrice between the first- and the second-floor stairwell," said Lt. Charles Iglinski, with CFD Tower Ladder 24.

Iglinski, firefighter Brandon Hampton and firefighter candidate Nick McManaman quickly pulled Davidson out. She was unconscious, but breathing. That was over month ago.

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On Monday, an almost fully recovered Davidson came to the firehouse to thank the men who saved her life.

From being overcome with smoke to overcome with emotion, Davidson didn't just thank the three men who pulled her out the building, but everyone in the firehouse.

"I'm so glad I'm able to talk and be here; I'm so glad my family didn't have to make funeral arrangements, thank you, thank you," Davidson said.

Saving lives is why McManaman decided to become a firefighter. His career is just beginning. He is a firefighter candidate who has only been on the job for six months. He said Monday made all the hard work worth it.

"Seeing her walk in, I just, I wanted to cry, too. I'm trying to keep it together, but just, you know. I just thank God that she's OK. So kind of you come visit us and say thank you, we appreciate you," McManaman said.

As the oldest of 13, Davidson admits she is one tough person.

"I'm a breast cancer survivor, thank God, and I'm a fire survivor. Thanks to y'all, praise God, yes, I am. I'm a fighter. I ain't no firefighter, but I'm yes, thank God, thank you, thank you," Davidson said.

Davidson spent about a week in the hospital and then recovered at home. She is expected to have a cough for the next two to three months, and then she should be fully recovered. As for Christmas, Davidson says she received her gift: her life from Tower Ladder 24.