A fire at a Framingham apartment complex forced about 40 families from their homes Tuesday. Several residents and firefighters were sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the fire broke out on the fourth floor at the Edmands House apartment complex at about 8 a.m. Tuesday. The 94-unit complex is located at 15 Edmands Road. About one-third of the residents of the complex have been displaced.
"The fire department arrived and found smoke and people in the building. The building was evacuated and going through the building, (fire crews) encountered several people who had to be rescued, two of which had been overcome by smoke," Framingham Fire Lt. Paul Shastany.
Two people had to be rescued by firefighters. Several firefighters received minor injuries.
"During the rescue process and firefighting process, four Framingham firefighters received injuries ranging from exhaustion, smoke inhalation and to possible rib injuries," Shastany said.
"(I) lost everything in the fire. We just saw a billow of black smoke," Frank Grant said.
Officials believe the fire started in a bedroom in Grant's apartment.
"I was in the living room on the computer and all of a sudden the smoke detectors went off and (there was a) big explosion," Grant said.
"I was giving a bath to my two kids and someone came knocking on the door -- 'Get out of the house because the house is burning!'" resident Fatima Bushard said.
The American Red Cross is working with property managers and Framingham officials to help some of the displaced residents with food, supplies and temporary shelter, if needed.
"I am told that floors four through six are affected by today's fire. As the evening wears on, we will know how many people need assistance for the night and what kind of assistance we can provide," said Hugh Drummond, of the Red Cross.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
If the Red Cross needs large-scale amenities for displaced residents, it will use the armory on Concord Street.
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