NEW HOLSTEIN, Wis. (WFRV) Loved ones are sharing memories tonight of a New Holstein woman who died in an apartment fire on Friday. 42 year old Nicole Masucci died while trying to alert her neighbors to the early morning blaze. Everyone else inside was able to make it out safely. Masucci's twin sister and niece spoke exclusively with Local 5's Bret Lemoine this evening.
"Nobody wants to go through - they have to know she's my twin. I know she's in heaven so that makes me happy." Danielle Masucci was never far from her twin sister, Nicole. The two lived in this New Holstein apartment building off and on for the past 5 years. "Soul mates - we are identical. Never apart. We always lived together and did everything together."
Nicole is remembered for being sweet and sensitive. It's no surprise to family and friends that Nicole disappeared in a thick cloud of smoke to help others. "She ran out her door and told everyone to get out. She got stuck in one of the neighbors' rooms. She couldn't get out," recalls Danielle. Danielle says the fire started in her kitchen wall. Hours after the blaze, neighbors labeled Nicole's actions as heroic: One resident told Local 5 on Friday, "I just want to make sure everybody knows Nicole saved my life. She's a hero."
The family is left with nothing... all their belongings and keepsakes were lost in the blaze. They've set up the Nicole Masucci Memorial Fund at the Bank Mutual of New Holstein to give this "hero" a proper burial. Her niece, Christina Masucci-Usery, says, "Nicole didn't have much to begin with, so we're having a hard time getting her taken care of." She'll be laid to rest next to her father in Detroit if the family can find enough donations to help. "Everybody is making it known she was a hero. She helped save the lives of others. I know her soul is saved. She's with us every day now."
