Indianapolis Firefighters Rescue 9 from Apartment Blaze

Investigators said Thursday morning fire at an apartment complex from which nine people were rescued was intentionally set. The fire began shortly after 5 a.m. at the Bayhead Village apartment complex in Wayne Township, near 38th Street and Interstate 465, 6News' Julie Pursley reported. Most people in the building were sleeping when the blaze began. Some woke up to find their balconies were the only escape from smoke and flames. Liana Phillips and her husband, Brad, are among those trapped until firefighters arrived. "We were hearing our neighbor from downstairs ... She tried to knock on the door ... and when I woke up, I said, 'Brad, there's fire in here,'" Phillips said. The fire began in a stairwell connecting apartments were seven families live, some with young children. At least one family was awakened by firefighters, who found them in their bedroom. "I'm just so glad that they rescued me and my family," said Hawawea Ijetta. "We were beating and banging ... So, for them not to hear us, just think if the smoke had gotten up in there and gotten into their rooms," said Wayne Township fire Lt. George Boots. "Most people don't die because they were burned in the fire. They die initially of smoke inhalation." Firefighters said everyone is fortunate to have gotten out safely. Affected families were left to salvage what they could until they can get back into their homes. No one was injured in the fire. Many victims were moved to hotels. Investigators asked anyone with information about the fire to call the Wayne Township Fire Department at 317-246-6208.