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Modesto Grandmother Jumps Into Action To Save Daughter, Neighbors From Burning Apt. Complex

MODESTO (CBS13) -- A fire broke out at a Modesto apartment complex, and an 82-year-old grandmother jumped into action to save her daughter and her neighbors.

"If it wasn't for her, I think we all would have burned, I think we all would have burned," says Rosa Bermudez.

Rosa Bermudez is thankful to be alive.  She credits her 82-year-old mother, Ladislada, who lives next door.

"My mom was on it, she's very alert, she's so strong you would not believe my mom, she's so amazing,"Rosa explains.

Usually fast asleep by 9 p.m., Ladislada couldn't rest, so she got up for a midnight snack and moments later flames raced up the bathroom wall.  That's when she pounded on Rosa's door.

"She goes 'my house is burning', I said what house, and she said 'my house'," said Rosa.

Once Rosa was safe, her mother went door-to-door to save her neighbors.

"My mom is the one that said the neighbor was so worried about the neighbor on the right hand side of her because the fire was going that way," says Rosa.

The ordeal has shaken the mother, daughter duo to the core, butRosanever once doubted her mother's courage.

"I wasn't surprised because I know my mom and that's the way she is, she's up and at it, she's that way you know,"Rosa told CBS13.

Because all of the grandmother's belongings were ruined in the fire, the family is asking for donations.

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