Firefighters rescued a dozen people trapped on balconies of a Slidell condo building engulfed in flames early Sunday, reports nola.com.
Some residents of the two-story Act X Condominiums jumped into the arms of rescuers on the ground to avoid the flames, while others climbed down ladders set-up by firefighters, according to a new release.
Firefighters with St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 were called to the 28-unit building at 4504 Pontchartrain Dr. at midnight Saturday and extinguished the fire 1 1/2 hours later.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital with a minor injury. No other injuries were reported.
Residents heard an explosion just before the fire started, and investigators believe the blaze began in one of the downstairs units.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Slidell Police Department and Acadian Ambulance also helped at the scene. St. Tammany Fire Districts Nos. 3, 4, 8 and 11 also aided the response.
“We were very fortunate that no one lost their life,” said Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann in the release. “Our No. 1 priority was to rescue the trapped occupants.”
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