WILSONVILLE, Ore. – Firefighters arriving on the scene of a fire at a Wilsonville apartment complex quickly spotted two families trapped in top-floor apartments and managed to save them all in the nick of time.
A father and his six-year-old son and a couple with a baby were waiting for help on their balconies as smoke billowed over their heads. Firefighters said their apartments were already entirely engulfed in flames and smoke.
Using ladders, firefighters were able to climb up and rescue first the children, then the couple. They said the father ended up jumping down by himself.
The building burned extremely hot and fast and firefighters said, had they gotten their minutes later, lives could have been lost.
“They were hunkered down and the door was open and hot black smoke was pushing out over them, like touching the backs of their heads,” said firefighter Jason Hachmuth.
Other residents in the building were safely evacuated out their front doors.
“I heard the hammering on the door and I got myself together and got out and there was already foam coming down,” said resident Cherie Eichbaum.
After dousing the flames, firefighters went back into the smoky building and rescued two stranded pets.
Investigators said they suspect the fire may have been sparked by an arsonist. Also, residents told KGW that just last week, apartment managers passed out fliers warning of an arsonist who they said had set at least two fires in the building.
Along with fire inspectors, law enforcement officers were investigating the blaze.
