A Suffolk police officer entered the second-story of a burning Mastic home to rescue an elderly woman Friday.

Neighbors contacted police about a house fire at 15 Paul Drive and informed responding officers that the owner, 74-year-old Marie Giambalvo, might be inside. Officers were unable to enter through the front door due to the intense flames, police said.

After finding a step ladder nearby, Seventh Precinct Officer Joseph Riess climbed to a second-story bathroom window and used a crowbar to push in an air conditioning unit. Giambalvo then made it to the bathroom, from where Riess carried her down the ladder.

Giambalvo was treated for smoke inhalation at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital and is expected to survive. A dog and at least one cat died in the fire, which the Mastic Fire Department extinguished.

The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Photos of rescue,courtesy of Jim Rugen, official photographer for the Mastic Beach FireDepartment:Picture 1Picture 2Picture 3Picture 4Picture 5Picture 6