'They were angels:' Raleigh couple describes near-death experience as firefighters save them from burning apartment

Imagine thinking you are about to die in a blazing apartment fire – clutching your family close while hiding in the bathtub and quietly praying – and then hearing the sound of firefighters arriving to save you.

That's what happened to a Raleigh couple, trapped in a burning apartment last week.

When you look at the charred remains of the apartment where they lived, it's hard to believe anyone got out alive. In fact, it's hard for them to believe it.

They say they survived thanks to a couple of firefighters they call their angels.

Sandra Kelly and Andres Soto spent three days in the hospital and are still recovering from smoke inhalation after flames tore through their north Raleigh apartment.

"My dad is still coughing up some soot from the fire from what he inhaled," said their son, who translated for the couple as they shared their near-death experience with WRAL News.

When they opened the door of their second-story apartment, they were hit with an impenetrable wall of smoke.

"He looked out to the porch and it was all on fire," he said. "My dad started yelling, 'We're on fire! We're on fire!' And that's when it really set in – we're trapped here."

The couple barricaded themselves in the bathroom and called 911 and hugged each other close. Even with wet towels shoved beneath the door, the smoke poured in. They described the roof and ceiling burning above them.

"They were basically accepting their death at that point," he said.

"I think die. I think I not make it," said Sandra Kelly.

Suddenly, they heard the static of a fireman's radio. The couple banged on the door and screamed to get their attention.

"That's when they called out to them," explained their son. "The firefighters opened the door and were able to get them out."

Running barefoot down the stairs, the couple says firefighters sprayed their feet with water to keep the lapping flames at bay. One of the firefighters even wrapped his coat around Kelly.

The couple lost everything in the fire. Family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help.

However, the couple is less focused on what they lost and more focused on thanking the firefighters they call their angels.

"They were saying 'Thank you so much! They were angels. They were heroes.'" describes their son. "They didn't even get their names or anything. They went inside to risk their own lives to save theirs in that fire."