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Officers Brian Schirmer and Mark Montinerelli were responding to a different call on Pond View Heights around 7 p.m. when the officers smelled smoke. The two noticed a fire inside a garage at the apartments across the street and called the fire department.

Before the fire department arrived on scene, both officers went into the apartments to get people out. Three families were rescued, a total of five people.

"I went back in the second time, 'cause when I got two people out of the apartment, they said their mother was still in there," said Schirmer. "So I went back in the apartment and we couldn't see to get in, I found the mother down in the living room, down in the lower level and was able to get her out the back door."

"At this point, we have no idea what caused this. Once we get all the fire out, we'll go in and our investigators we'll take a look at it," said Chief Jared Meaker of the Lake Shore Fire District.

Meaker commended both officers for acting quickly and preventing what could have been much worse.

It took about an hour to get the fire under control.

Lake Shore, Hilton, North Greece and Ridge Road Fire Departments responded to the scene.

There were no injuries and the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross is helping the families.