A Mahoning Township police officer ran into a burning building twice to save the life of an elderly woman.

Veteran patrolman Jeffrey Frace responded to the fire within three minutes of the alarm.He ran inside the building, which was filled with smoke, and got the 81-year-old woman to leave.The resident however ran back into the house to try and save some of her belongings. The officer was forced to go back inside and rescue her from the house.The fire, on Oak Grove Drive, off Route 443, happened at 11:31 p.m. Feb. 11.Details of the rescue were given yesterday by Mahoning Township Police Officer In Charge Audie Mertz.Mertz said the house sustained heavy damage, and the resident was able to relocate with relatives.Four fire departments responded and the fire was placed under control at 12:49 a.m.The Red Cross also responded to assist the resident. The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.