ATLANTIC CITY — Firefighters made an approximately 190-foot descent down a blind elevator shaft at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on Thursday evening to rescue two women trapped inside, city officials said.

Crews were dispatched at 5:23 p.m. and used specialized rope systems to carry out a vertical extraction. Members of Rescue 1, Ladder 1 and Engine 2 worked under the overall direction of Deputy Chief Duane Brock.

"Rappelling 200 feet down an open, blind elevator shaft is one of the most demanding scenarios a firefighter can face," fire Chief Scott Evans said Friday in a statement. "It requires absolute trust in your training and your gear. Our Special Operations team executed this high-angle rope rescue flawlessly, moving methodically to secure the occupants and hoist them to safety."

Capt. Jeffrey Jenkins led key parts of the operation, including securing and coordinating the rescue, city officials said Friday.

Firefighters Anthony Phillips and Brian Berrio descended into the shaft to reach the women and help with their removal. Crews hoisted the women to safety one at a time.

The second woman was rescued at 8:19 p.m., and the last firefighter exited the shaft at 8:22 p.m., ending a response that lasted nearly three hours.

No one was injured, fire officials said.

Evans said the rescue shows why the department trains heavily for specialized high-rise emergencies.

"Our crews did an outstanding job, and we are thankful for a safe resolution with zero injuries," he said.

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