Fire survivor thanks firefighters who rescued her

Aline Masson lay unconscious on the floor of her Pasco county mobile home while smoke and flames engulfed her. Within minutes, firefighters charged through the fire and dragged her to safety. That was on Christmas Eve.

On Sunday,  Masson, recovering from second and third-degree burns, was well enough to visit the men who saved her life.

A crew from Pasco County Fire Rescue station 23 responded to the fire. Captain John Benchoff entered the burning home and pulled out Masson, who was flown by Bayflight to Tampa General Hospital for treatment.

Masson's daughter Kara Florek arranged for the family to meet the crew that saved her mom.

"Once I knew she was safe the first thing I wanted to do was to thank the men that saved her life," said Florek.

Benchoff and his crew smiled, laughed and hugged Florek and Masson. Masson struggled with the words to convey her gratitude, but Benchoff said knowing she is alive is enough.

"That's all the thanks we need. We don't need a pat on the back or anything like that. Seeing her walk through that door was really awesome," said Capt. Benchoff.

Florek says Masson lost everything in the fire. A family friend started a GoFundMe account.