Albury Central firefighters Matt Cooper and Paul Bladwell entered the Swan Street home on Monday despite the heat and thick acrid smoke, and pulled out the 16-year-old.

The pair had relied on thermal imaging and were obstructed by the unusual layout of furniture in the burning building.

"If you had to think about what you were doing, you probably wouldn't get it done," Mr Cooper said.

"We gained access as quickly as we could and made our way to where she was.

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"When you take away vision and amplify sounds and other senses, it was challenging."

The pair tried to keep the girl low to the ground and provided medical treatment outside the home.

Despite having state-of-the-art clothing, they could still feel the heat.

Albury Central Fire Station commander Nick Beattie said the scene confronting the two firefighters inside the home was "beyond challenging."

"To say it was hard work is an understatement," he said.

"That first 15 minutes was the toughest 15 minutes in my 23-and-a-half years in the job."

Mr Beattie said he was proud of all involved in the incident, including the police and paramedics.

"The thick black smoke was to the floor," he said.

"I'd go as far as to say you risk a life to save a life.

"That's what the crew did."

The girl is recovering from burns and stab wounds.