JEFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- Ernest Ross and Kevin Voll work together as volunteers for the Depauville Fire Department. They were fighting a large brush fire on Route 12 in Depauville last Friday when it quickly turned into a life and death situation for Ross.

"When we got there, noticed the flames were headed towards the barn and headed over to the barn to see if we could knock it down. And while cutting across the field, I fell into a manure pit," said Ross.

The manure patch is the size of a large swimming pool and is overgrown with grass and weeds, so it's almost impossible to tell it's there. Ross says the owner of the farm even told him he's lost a few cows in the pit over the years.

"I couldn't get out. I told him I couldn't feel bottom. I could feel the murk pulling me down in," said Ross. "I honestly thought I was going to die."

"At first, I tried to just pull him out, hand him my broom, so I could pull him out that way. That slipped out of his gloves, so I leaned over, grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him out of the pit," said Zoll.

"Kevin was a total hero yesterday. He responded quickly without any direction and was able to pull me to safety," said Ross. "I owe him my life."

"Any other firefighter in the same situation would have done exactly what I did at that moment," said Zoll

So what happens now for both men?

"Just recoup and get back on the job," said Ross.

"I just continue to go to work. When fires are called, respond to fires and just keep going," said Zoll.

They both plan to be back to work on Monday.