After a three-alarm fire took the life of a 1-year-old in Newburgh last Friday, the community is hailing its fire chief as a hero for saving the life of the victim?s 2-year-old sister.

While firefighters battled the flames at the home on Williams Street, 2-year-old Evelyn Vaquero was pulled from the building. Officials say the girl had a pulse, but was not breathing.

Fire Chief Michael Vatter says he was able to resuscitate the girl with CPR. She was rushed to the hospital and is expected to recover.

Evelyn?s sister, 1-year-old Natanya Vaquero, died in the fire. Firefighters said they made several attempts to get to her, but the flames prevented them. Her badly burned body was later found in the rubble.

Officials say two firefighters were injured trying to reach Natanya. Two other children and two caretakers were able to make it outside.

Investigators say they believe the fire sparked in an adjacent vacant building and quickly spread.

Meanwhile, the Newburgh community has come together to help the grieving family. Strangers and friends have donated money to help pay for the funeral arrangements for the child. Others have left balloons, flowers and candles in front of the home as a memorial.

Community turns out to help family who lost child in Newburgh fire1-year-old killed in 3-alarm Newburgh fire