LANHAM, Md. - Three people, including a mother and her 15-month-old daughter, were rescued from their burning apartment complex in Lanham Wednesday.
Firefighters were called for the report of people trapped at the Woodland Landing apartment complex in the 10000 block of Greenbelt Road about 11:55 a.m.
First responders say they found heavy fire on the second and third floors of the garden-style apartment building.
One team of firefighters ran into the buildings with hoses to control the blaze; another squad used ladders to rescue residents trapped on their balconies. The residents had attempted to flee the burning building by the stairs, but had been turned back by smoke and heat.
Building personal were in the process of rescuing a 26-year-old mother and her 15-month-old daughter when firefighters arrived. Firefighters rescued a 38-year-old woman from her third-floor balcony. Paramedics evaluated the three on the scene. None required hospitalization.
About 45 firefighters were on the scene. It took about 15 to 20 minutes to knock down the fire.
The residents of 14 apartments will be displaced. Damage is estimated at $200,000.
The apartment management plans to place the displaced residents in vacant units.
Several pet snakes found in a third-floor apartment were turned over to animal management authorities for safe keeping until the owner can retrieve them.
Republished with permission from WJLA-TV
