15 people displaced after fire damages Phoenix apartment complex

Witness recounts rescue at burning apartment building

15 people were displaced as a result of the fire, which happened near 75th Avenue and Indian School Road during the early morning hours of May 25.

PHOENIX - Fire ripped through an apartment complex, leaving 15 people without a home and three people were hospitalized.

Crews from Phoenix, Avondale, Glendale, and Peoria were at the scene near 75th Avenue and Indian School Road during the early morning hours of May 25.

When firefighters arrived at the complex, they encountered a large amount of smoke coming from the complex.

"As crews were making entry the encountered three people with minor burn injuries and smoke inhalation. Crews were able to quickly removed the patients out of the hot zone into a safe area for treatment," said Captain Todd Keller of the Phoenix Fire Department.

Three people were transported to an area burn facility. A 1-year-old boy, 26-year-old man, and 26-year-old woman sustained minor burn injuries and smoke inhalation. They are listed in stable condition. Their names were not released.

Keller says four units were affected by the fire. Phoenix Crisis Response teams and the Red Cross were at the scene to help the residents that were displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

"No firefighters were injured during this incident and investigators are on the scene to determine a cause," said Keller.

Witness recounts ordeal

"I was sleeping and I heard the engines pull up," said Richard Buchanan. "I came outside, and there was fire showing out of the second floor."

Buchanan watched as fire crews pull three people of a burning apartment. He captured it all on his phone.

"They ran right up to it. Didn't hesitate. They did a great job," said Buchanan.

Buchanan said if it weren't for the fire department's quick action, there would have been a far worse outcome.

"They proceeded to gain entry, knock the fire down, make the rescue. They put ladders to the roof and pretty much did a great job, knocking it down and containing the fire to where it was," said Buchanan.