Feb. 24--Firefighters rescued a family from a balcony during an apartment fire late Sunday afternoon and more than 60 residents were displaced by the blaze, according to fire officials.
Shortly after 5 p.m. , firefighters arrived at 775 Worchester Ave. to find flames and heavy smoke coming from a three-story apartment building, said Lisa Derderian, spokeswoman for the Pasadena Fire Department.
A family was trapped on a balcony on the third floor directly above the second-story unit where the blaze broke out, Derderian said, adding that they could not escape through the door because of heavy smoke.
After firefighters raised a ladder to the balcony, they broght down three young girls, approximately 2, 4 and 8 years old, Derderian said. Firefighters helped the father down the ladder.
The mother fainted and was brought down through the smoke-filled hallway. She was transported to a hospital.
The girls were also taken to a hospital as a precaution, Derderian said.
About 60 residents were displaced because of the fire.
A shelter was set up for them in the Jackie Robinson Community Center, where about 13 residents remained Monday morning.
Residents were allowed to re-enter about 15 of the affected units Sunday night, but another 15 were still uninhabitable Monday morning because of safety and security concerns, Derderian said.
Mark Kellam, Times Community News
Copyright 2013 - Pasadena Sun, Calif.
