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Subscribe to RSSNewark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker gave new meaning to the term "public servant" when he rescued a neighbor from a burning building. NBC's Mara Schiavocampo reports.
Updated at 11:35 a.m. ET Friday: Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker suffered second-degree burns and smoke inhalation as he helped rescue one of his next-door neighbors from a burning building Thursday.
“There was a time when I didn’t think we’d make it out of there,” Booker told media at a news conference Friday morning, describing the rescue as his "proverbial 'come to Jesus' moment."
“I didn’t feel bravery; I felt terror," he said, adding: "There was a moment I felt very religious."
Booker returned home to his home in the Upper Clinton Hill neighborhood of Newark Thursday evening to find the building next door was on fire, the The Star-Ledger newspaper said.
"We got everybody out of the house, but their daughter’s screaming, ‘I’m upstairs!’" he told the paper.
He went in, followed by his security detail, and heard cries for help from upstairs. When he got to the second floor, he was engulfed in flames and smoke.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker holds a press conference to answer questions about Thursday's fire rescue, where he helped save a neighbor from a burning building. Booker said he "did what most neighbors would do."
"I suddenly had the realization that I can't find this woman," Booker told The Star-Ledger newspaper. "I look behind me and see the flames and I think, 'I'm not going to get out of here.' Suddenly I was at peace with the fact that I was going to jump out the window."
Twitter on fire with #CoryBooker stories
Then he heard the woman's voice again from another bedroom.
"I just grabbed her and whipped her out of the bed," Booker said.
They got downstairs, but then collapsed, Booker said.
The paper reported a total of five people went the hospital: the mayor, three members of his security detail, and the woman from the house.
Rescued woman has back, neck burns
The woman was listed in stable condition in the hospital, the Star-Ledger said. She had burns to her back and neck.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker suffered second-degree burns and smoke inhalation after rushing into his neighbor's burning building and carrying her down from the engulfed second floor. WNBC-TV reports.
Fire Chief John Centanni told The Star-Ledger that the mayor may have saved the woman's life.
On Friday, Booker said he used to think he had problems. "Now everything seems so small in my life."
Booker was treated for burns on his hand and for breathing in smoke, the paper added.
"Thanks 2 all who are concerned. Just suffering smoke inhalation. We got the woman out of the house. We are both off to hospital. I will b ok," Booker said in a message on his Twitter account.
"Thanks everyone, my injuries were relatively minor. Thanks to Det. Alex Rodriguez who helped get all of the people out of the house," he added on Twitter.
Another Twitter user, Alethea Felton, said in a message responding to Booker's tweet, "@CoryBooker Wow...I can't wait until you're PRESIDENT oneday-YOU ROCK! God bless you for your devotion & humility to those you serve."
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Thank God for the Mayor's bravery and that of his security force.May he and all others be healed and safe.Amen.
We all want to believe we know what we'd do in such a situation, but thankfully most of us will never have to find out if we are right. Thank God Mayor Booker was there to save a life, and I pray that he is truly O.K. as well. Newark is truly blessed to have an elected official like him.
You'd think political parties would push born leaders like this out front as opposed to the inbred retreads who keep making the ballot.
I'm impressed. And thankful.
amen
Here is another news story cut off by advertising. Maybe Reuters has the whole story.
Mayor Booker, a true hero and role model. Thank God for a wonderful humanitarian story. A governor in the making and perhaps President. I certainly won't forget Mayor Booker. How refreshing. Congratulations Newark!
Now that is the kind of representation I want in Washington!
This is what a real hero and patriot looks like. Good on you Mayor and heal fast.
If anyone is aware, this guy has been taking on Newark for the better for his entire career. This is just yet another instance of the good in his heart. Newark is on the list for some of the highest rates for murder in the country. Sadly, if it wasn't for this guy, it would probably top the list. And yet, despite all that, murders are on the decline, and as bad as the city is, it is actually, for once in 30 years, heading in the right direction. It may take another decade or more to turn around, probably past this guy's political career, but it is actually nice to see a politician who actually gives a crap about a city no one else does.
Impressive - and doubly so considering that his predecessor is in jail for kickbacks and bribery and using the city credit card to pay for whores at South American brothels. What a change, Newark :D
Very Impressive. I went and read about him after reading this article. I have to say, even though I'm a registered Republican, if this man ran for President I would probably vote for him. He has really put himself in the peoples positions. He has set up camp in the middle of the drug havens. And other impressive stories as well. He seems to take action himself not assign the action to others. He is not a follower. Thank God they all got out from the fire safely.
He sounds like an awesome man! His remarks were so humble that it made him seem all the more brave. I'm so happy to know there is a man like this out there in a leadership position! Hopefully he will be a good influance on others whose lives he has touched!
Must be election season. JK this guy is really a hero he helped more people in that one night then most politictions do in there whole career.
Certainly a hero. But even a hero can't resist the temptation of linking an accident with Terror and memories of 911. So a hero but a politician as well.
I think that mayor did great..but I believe this is the fourth time I read about that same mayor doing something brave..last time he was near a robbery and cornered the robber..seems he's always in right place at right time..too fishy.
Well I'm sure he didn't start the fire, Mike...rofl.
mike
oh so you must be that one paranoid guy that always shows up whenever something good happens to try and turn it into a bad thing. good luck with that way of thinking buddy.
The guy is certainly impressive. Runs into burning building to save a woman when he could have just as easily sent his security detail. He is also the same mayor who was out shoveling snow the previous winter when "snowmageddon" hit and many of his city were snowed in. They called his office to complain and he responded with shovel in hand. He is certainly a "hands on" kind of guy and is having success in changing his city from one of the worst for murder and violent crime. He has his work cut out for him and I do hope he goes on in politics above his current level. Of course, unless he does someday run for president only New Jerseyians will be able to vote for him. I hope his fellow Newark residents work with him even more to turn Newark around. Don't waste the opportunity to make a difference when you have someone who is willing to work side by side with you. This kind of hands on politician doesn't come around every day.
A true hero and role model! I hope he runs for President one day in the future! This guy is truly something special.
When and where did he meet this robber, Mike? I never heard anything about this.
This is a rare thing for Newark: A good mayor. I am not joking. Majority of the past mayor have been corrupt and/or crap.
He's a pretty amazing guy. Even when he's NOT saving people from burning houses...
Agreed--and considering he's the mayor, I'm sure he called 9-1-1 and yet he risked his life to save his neighbor and the family. Thank you Mayor Booker--that's called going above and beyond the call of duty.
Can we trade Obama for Booker?
We love both Obama and Booker. You can be sure Booker supports Obama.
Hey! Way to prove that there is always an opportunity for an idiotic comment in every thread!
Trust me if Booker was President the hate would be the same as what they show Obama. No one is fooled by your statement dude.
Cory Booker is an amazing guy, a former community organizer. :)
Give Booker a few years and maybe one day he will run for president.
Would you support him, hedward, or are you just being snarky?
GA Girl, your comment is as useless as the one you replied to.
kaybeetoys, I would support him. See my post 1.10
The sun came up today.
Just another failure of the failed Obama presidency.
Hey, If he can survive being the Mayor of Newark, he's got my vote! "Freakin' A.."
Glad he was there to save her. However, if this same woman was attacked on the street Booker would rather she be unarmed and helpless to her attacker.
It would be nice if handguns were banned everywhere.
And I am sure that's what the woman was thinking as well. LOL!
???????????????????????????????
Yes, banning handguns would keep them out of the hands of criminals. All you have to do is look at the success we have had banning other things like alcohol, drugs, insider trading, racism, murder, etc. 99% of the time it's not the law-abiding citizens you need to worry about. I've carried a concealed weapon for almost twenty years and I've never once taken it out the holster outside of the target range. But when the situation comes and I see a carjacking and a baby inside I'm going to be the one who stops it while you stand there and cry and try to call 911.
Guns have been around forever. They used to be made on manual machining equipment. They're not that difficult to make. If you ban guns the only thing it's going to accomplish is to manufacture criminals in an underground market and the products will be even more dangerous than they are now. That's what happened with prohibition. That's what happened with the war on drugs. It's something people want and you're not going to get rid of it. The only thing you can do is try to manage it.
Flowers, rainbows, world peace, and no guns is a very attractive idea. But it's completely unrealistic and any effort to outlaw guns is only going to backfire and cause even more problems.
So a handgun started this fire? I must have missed that while reading the article.
People, people, stay focused and on topic, please. There is no shortage of other posts to bring in comments on guns and politics. A man saving a woman's life is the story here. Just glad there were not serious injuries for the security detail as well.
there's another article on msnbc this morning about the NRA getting all gun-crazy again. i think that comment belongs on that article, not an article about the selfless bravery of an elected official.
patrick hanna
so a world were everyone carries guns and is paranoid beyond belief because now everyone has a gun is a good thing? just saying you don't need to take a gun everywhere you go if your that paranoid you probably shouldn't have a gun in the first place. also what happened to people solving fights without having to take the pussy way out and use a gun?
good job mayor on saving her. thank god there are politicians that still have the balls to help people instead of kiss their ass for votes.
And we see how well banning illegal drugs, illegal immigrants, and robbery turned out. Banning handguns will work too?! There's also one person on a thread who says ban handguns or something... Ugh
...thanks for your humanitarism and community caring, we should have more like you Mr. Mayor !
I saw a documentary on how Booker became mayor. He is a great human being and should be a true example of what all mayors and politicians should be. Obama is just fine too.
Nikki...President Obama and Mayor Booker are not molded in partisan templates. As an older person, I find it refreshing that our younger generation is so willing to step out of the tired out old molds of too many generations of cookie-cutter politicians.
New Jersey has several to watch. Senator Robert Menendez, for instance, is our "Silent Warrior". He acts on the needs of the people of NJ rather than go around spouting partisan platitudes. This is also true of another of our wonderful politicians, Congressman Rush Holt. These two men are the hardest working politicians NJ people have.
Christie is okay. He's a thinker. My only reservation about him is his idea that by helping the rich, the rich will help the Middle class and working poor. Most of Christie's policies thus far are yet to be evaluated over the long term. I think that while it was necessary to clean up a lot of the financial problems in NJ, what's left now is the gap between New Jersey rich and New Jersey Middle Class. This is what's staring Christie in the face right now. It will be interesting to see how he handles that.
It's amazing how somebody would take this great story, and try to use it as a negative. Great job Mayor Booker.
i live in san diego, clear across the country, and even I have heard of this booker kid in new jersey. he will go far. he's a smart, tough, and walks what he talks....and now he's a hero. he will go far. i wish him the best. if NJ weren't such a trash hole, i'd move there to vote for him.
Sir, I have been to San Diego and its a lovely city, but that does not give you the right to trash NJ.....Please dont go by what you see on a reality show on TV after all that is just TV....We have beautiful open land, parks and mountains. Our NJ shore line is fabulous.....so please dont make snap judgements about our state before you visit......As for Mayor Booker, he is one of the best mayors for the people we have seen in a long time......God Bless him
t
@realityguy - WE DON"T WANT OR NEED YOU! So go stone out with your laid back ways and gnarley sunglasses you California loser. Flying into Newark airport does not qualify you as an expert on NJ. I didn't even want to comment but you are so wrong. I too live clear across the country from you - and there is no other place I'd rather be. I LOVE NJ and think it's the best state. We have it all! Makes me wonder if you're just jealous. BTW - is it fun pumping your own gas?
PS - If you took Republican Governor Chris Christie & Democrat Corey Booker (both NJ) and they were President & Vice Pres. this country would be kicking @ss and taking names. I love them both and am very proud of them.
Booker is a great guy. I've recognized that previously in what I have read about him. This story and his actions cement that impression. I agree with some others here that he will likely go far.
Having said that, Newark still sucks.
But others were right about New Jersey, too. If all you've seen is the Northeast part of the state, going through the airport in Newark, the opening scenes in the Sopranos, Atlantic City, Jersey Shore maybe (never seen the show) you might think New Jersey is a toilet everywhere. It isn't. It's quite beautiful to the West and Southwest over most of the state.
There's a reason New Jersey is called the Garden State.
Dude, Hows it hangin Do any good dubs lately. Fir sure. Only have one word for you dude. Imbecile Learn it live it. I live in NJ now and its a wonderful place and becoming better with the likes of Christie and Booker. Lived in California, you can keep it and please stay there.
He has a whole lot going for him.Brave AND caring, and don't forget his security men, great also. I've seen him on Morning Joe, top rate.
How will the Republicans spin this one???
I live in San Diego, too. It's worse than a trash hole...it's a cesspool of snotty hipsters and rude illegals.
Please do not move to New Jersey. We put a lot of money into building Potemkin refineries along the Turnpike just to keep people like you away.
Way to go and make people hate Californians even more, thanks reality guy. This California girl, not from San Diego, but Orange County, has several friends from New Jersey. They could not be any nicer, and Cory Booker seems like a fair representation of people from the Garden State. He does seem totally awesome. ;)
Sam, You are absolutely right about NJ. However, when you stereotype all Californians as "gnarly sunglass California loser stoners" you lose ALL credibility. Your comments would mean so much more if you stated them without lowering yourself to Realityguy's level. Just sayin'.
Hey, Uncle Jetski, so THAT'S why that shiite is there! To keep people out of Jersey. I bet it works.
I first saw that stuff years ago when I missed my eastbound exit on the 3 and got stuck on the turnpike WAAY too long.
Back to Booker: Good on ya', man.
Reality Guy...NJ has the most popular boardwalks and beaches in the entire country. They are visited by millions of people every summer. You obviously have never seen the quaint town of Hope, Skillman, Princeton with its university setting and historical sites, the Edison Tower, the Watchung Mountains, Anyone who has ever seen South Jersey can attest to the best fruits and vegetables stands, acres of cranberry bogs, railroad museums and the Pine Barrens, which is miles of forest.
Then, there's Atlantic City, Long Beach Island, the romantic Victorian resort in Cape May, Sandy Hook State Park, The State Theater in New Brunswick where Rutgers is also located and the Paper Mill Playhouse. NJ has it all. From beautiful sandy beaches to Allaire State Park and Monmouth Park where every year the Revolutionary War battle is re-enacted.
Obviously, if all you know about NJ comes from the Sopranos or Jersey Shore, neither of which starred any NJ residents, you'd know Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bonjovi, Susan Sarandan and Queen Latifah are some of the New Jersey celebrities we are proud of.
As for Newark, it is home to a marvelous symphony orchestra, a major ballet company, several major corporations, a unusually beautiful train station loaded with history and a future President of the US...Mayor Booker. He will be the second New Jerseyan to become president next to Woodrow Wilson.
Hebrews 13:1
Piraticus 13:7
Really? The ratio is 13 to 1 Hebrews to us goyim? I would've suspected the opposite.
RealityGuy, I've lived all over the country. Maine, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Connecticut, Illinois, and...wait for it...
San Diego, California.
And let me just take this opportunity to say that New Jersey is, by FAR, the best place I've ever lived. We are in driving distance (or an easy train ride)of New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Yet for all that near at hand urbanism, most of New Jersey is a beautiful place. Pine forests, farms and orchards, and the beautiful rolling green country in the NW of the State will take your breath away.
But more than that -- of every place I've lived, it's right here in New Jersey that I've found the best educated, most tolerant, sophisticated, diverse and cosmopolitan people I've ever had the pleasure to know.
Oh, and as someone else commented above, we don't have to pump our own gas, and yet still pay less for it than just about anywhere else in the country. And let's add in the few other bonuses -- Real pizza. Hoagies (no, Subway doesn't count). And the best Italian restaurants outside of NYC. We grow the best tasting tomatos, peaches and strawberries in the country. And we grow mayors like Cory Booker. I can't say anything better than that.
For those of you whose experience of New Jersey is confined to reality TV and the ocassional trip through Newark Airport, you know nothing about New Jersey. God bless the Garden State. And poo on the haters.
Great story! He should be commended. Good job!
Rah, for Booker who ever in the hell you are. I seriously doubt he was ever in much danger.
I guess you didn't read the story?
More people know Booker now. Although we could say who the hell is randyk and does its opinion matter more than a bag shiet? I doubt seriously you have ever helped anyone in dire need.
Wow, randyk, could you be a bigger horse's arse if you tried?
and who the hell are you?
You can learn more about Cory Booker by reading this long article that Time Magazine published about him in 2009. He sounds like a remarkable person. His commitment to serving and trying to improve the city of Newark was so great that he turned down President Obama's offer to go to Washington D.C. to direct the Office of Urban Affairs. To me, that shows he views himself as more of a public servant than a politician.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1910983,00.html
Yes Randy
I know you would of done the same...
You are My HERO
Saw 2 documentaries on this Booker guy; one before he became mayor and the other about what he has accomplished after he became mayor. He is one smart dude, reminds me of Obama. Both are highly educated and articulate, real role models for kids of any race. Well done, Mr. Mayor!
randyK..enter a burning building and save someone from burning alive. Then tell spout blase indifference toward a real hero.
RandyK...Check out who created U-Tube...in his twenties. You do know what U-Tube is don't you?
Randy, before you comment read the article idiot. Well I guess when firefighters enter burning buildings they arne't in any danger at all. Ignorance in this country
How Great is that God Bless you Mayor.
Bless You Mayor Glad your Alright
Very heroic for Mr corruption.
Raymond...PLEASE
Some people no matter what the story is find some BS to insert. Mr Corruption. really?
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Newark.
I bet if he saved a Kitten, you would write he Hates Dogs
Raymond.. Way to be a downer.
If booker becomes president all the people that have guns will shoot themselfs
Good, I hope you are the first one!
He's got my vote if he ever runs for President.
themselfs -eye twitches- .. I won't say anything
Two winters ago when we had all that snow here in NJ, Booker was out helping his neighbors shovel out and kept his twitter account open for people to get a hold of him so that he could send the snow removals crews where they were needed most. He's a true "man of the people" and he's proved it once more. All of NJ shares in our pride of this man
pAT-2643768 Thanks for sharing. What he did in saving a life is awesome. It is nice to see this is a trend for him - doing the right thing. He may not have felt brave (his words), but he was brave to run into a burning building. He was not thinking of himself, but of others. And your story about shoveling snow - again - helping neighbors and his community. Not just giving it lip service, but actually doing it. This story is the first time I've paid attention to the Mayor (I don't live up there) but I will be watching for his name and hoping he will be rising to help run more and bigger places!
I'm familiar with Mayor Booker only from his past appearances on the Conan O'Brien show. I knew he had a great sense of humor, and now he goes and does something heroic. Every community should have a leader like Mayor Booker.
To:
reality guy
i live in san diego, clear across the country, and even I have heard of this booker kid in new jersey. he will go and now he's a hero. he will go far. i wish him the best. if NJ weren't such a trash hole, i'd move there to vote for him.
I resent your remark About NJ. You have abvously never been here. Don't base your opinion on reality shows that are NOT the true NJ. We have open areas that are pristine and unspoiled. We have beautiful park land and wilderness. Don't speak about what you do not know!
Maybe I can break the tie. I have lived in both New Jersey and San Diego. No comparison. NJ stinks.
Brussel Sprouts...That's funny. San Diego has some of the worst air pollution in the country. NJ has the strictest EPA and NJDEP air pollution controls. Not the smog some cities in CA have that's so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face. And gee...as many creme de le creme rich people that live in San Diego, wouldn't you think they'd clean up that smog?
Cory Booker is the best thing that ever happened to Newark, New Jersey! He is a truly selfless politician, and if that isn't a contradiction in terms, I don't know what is!
God Bless Cory Booker!
Cory Booker has proven himself to be a brave man. Newark can be justifiably proud!
Let me completely shallow here. This guy is completely brave and totally gorgeous. He could save me from a burning building anytime!
It's not shallow to recognize greatness - in any form.
I love....... why you freakin pervert! :P LOL
@ Love - I was thinking the same thing when I saw his picture! Mmmmm, Mmmmm good. LOL
A true hero!
Agreed, but when will Hizzoner just go ahead and start wearing a cape? Every time I turn around, he's stopping a robbery or saving someone from a burning bldg. Apparently, he has some female fans who think he's attractive, to boot.
Great job Mr. Mayor! You're the kind of neighbor I'd like to have.
Total hero! I've been following Mr. Booker's ascension to becoming one of the best problem solving community leaders in America and now this; Great Job!
Political stunt.
That's a stupid remark. If you are from NJ you would know better and if your are not, shame on you. No one thinks "Well, if I go in the burning building, it will be great for my political career." Booker is the best thing to happen to this state.
He is a hack just like the rest.
Like it or not, it's about the votes.
You are embarrassing yourself with such foolish stupidity. No one runs into a burning building with lives at stake just to make a political point. Are you certain you are on the correct web site? I think you meant to post on Faux News...
"Political stunt."
Sure, and if he had merely stood there and done nothing a$$wipes such as you would be at the front of the line castigating Cory Booker mercilessly.
To punks like nothing new here everybody is a loser. Methinks it's a fine reflection of him.
So only politicians save people from burning buildings, because getting votes is the only possible reason to do it? No one else does it, because they won't get votes out of it? There are no other reasons a person would save someone, like maybe basic human sympathy and altruism?
"Political stunt"? The Fox News contigent weighs in, apparently.
I'll bet real money that Nothing New Here was beating it so hard when Bush "landed" that jet on the aircraft carrier to proclaim "Mission Accomplished" that his pathetic little pecker was chafed for weeks.
Nothing new #24.2, most politicians are too self-centered to go running into burning buildings. Thank God and Mister Booker, and give him his due, that he is one of the rare ones that would run into a burning building, while everyone else and self-preservation is screaming to get out. Well Done, Mr. Mayor, and your detail too.
... So a person would risk his life for votes. Idiots
Love Mayor Booker!!!! Intelligent, brave and practice what he preaches. He would make a great President in 2016!
Not a bad idea.
Will Booker run for governor next year?
I hope so!!
I think he would be better served to run for senator instead. If Senator Lautenberg decides to retire, that seat would be open for Mayor Booker.
It's so wonderful to watch the younger generation being so interested in their political duties to their country. New Jersey is a very old but very solidly established state. It's a state that rarely gets much credit for its huge contributions to federal issues.
As a lifelong resident of New Jersey, I see a lot of things changing and it's a picture of a state with more clout than it realizes. At no other time in US History has it been as important for NJ to take its rightful place as a progressive, innovative state. Thanks to this new generation of New Jersey politicians, radicalism will be neutralized by good old New Jersey common sense.