Three occupants were transported by AMR to area hospitals
A woman had to be rescued from the second floor of a Vancouver apartment complex by firefighters Wednesday evening. Three other occupants had to be taken to area hospitals with undisclosed issues.
At 5:50 p.m. Wednesday (July 29), Vancouver Fire Department crews were dispatched to the report of a fire at 11301 NE 7th Street at the Autumn Chase Apartments. Responding units could see a large header of smoke and called for a second alarm enroute. The first arriving engine found two apartment units of a 16-plex heavily involved in flame and quickly applied water to the fire from outside in an effort to keep it in check until other units could arrive.
While water was being applied to the fire, reports of a female trapped on a second floor balcony on the back side of the building prompted the officer on the initial engine to carry and place a ladder for a ladder rescue. He assisted her from the balcony onto the ladder and helped her climb down.
As subsequent fire units arrived, they were assigned to go inside the building to put out fire burning inside the units and in the attic. The fire was under control in approximately 35 minutes.
Four occupants of the building were assessed by medics on scene. Three were transported by AMR to area hospitals. Their conditions were unknown. All residents of the building were displaced by either fire and smoke damage or by electrical service being turned off to the building.
A total of 31 Vancouver firefighters on seven engines and two ladders trucks were on scene to fight the fire. Additional engines from Portland Fire Bureau and Camas-Washougal Fire Department were on scene to assist.
The fire is currently under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office.
Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.
