An off-duty crossing guard is being praised as a hero after rescuing four people from a North Merrick house fire Wednesday.

Colleen Kiesow was working as a Park Avenue school lunch aid when she says a student told her his nearby house was on fire. Police say Kiesow then dialed 911, went to the house, ran inside and got four people to leave. Kiesow then re-entered the home with 65-year-old Patricia Fritz, who had been inside, to try and retrieve her pets and some jewelry that were still inside.

Police say Fritz was treated for smoke inhalation and released from the hospital. The family dog and one cat made it out of the house alive. The family says one cat is still missing.