Quick action by firefighters is being credited for the rescue of two residents trapped on a balcony after a blaze ripped through the upper floor of the Burnett Place Apartments Monday.
No injuries were reported in the fire at 405 Sloan St., according to the Taylor Fire Department.
“Had we gotten there just a few minutes later, that would have been the scenario: They would have had to jump,” said Chief Daniel Baum. “That was a great a job by our guys being able to quickly get the ladder up, send somebody up there, get two occupants from the balcony and get them down safely.”
Baum said first responders received
“Had we gotten there just a few minutes later, that would have been the scenario: They would have had to jump.”
- Taylor Fire Department Chief Daniel Baum the call at 2:12 p.m. for a fire in progress in the upper story of Building 3.
“Our first unit on scene reported that there were two people up on the second-floor balcony,” Baum said. “The fire was on the second-floor apartment, on the balcony, and they (were) trying to escape, so our immediate actions there were we had to put (up) a ladder and send one of our firefighters up there to rescue two occupants.”
Eighteen firefighters responded to the alarm, including all on-duty personnel from Taylor, as well as mutualaid assistance from the Round Rock and Hutto fire departments, Baum said.
Apartment manager Kim Martin said she was happy no one was hurt, adding she appreciated the efforts of the fire crews.
“Everyone was safe,” Martin said. The affected residents were evaluated by emergency medical services for smoke inhalation, but they weren’t taken to a medical facility.
However, several residents were reportedly displaced by the fire, which officials said began in a kitchen.
“It was a grease fire,” Martin said. “One unit had fire damage and the downstairs had water damage. The (American) Red Cross showed up to take care of everyone and got them set up in hotels.”
Baum lauded the response of his crew, as well as the other units on the scene.
“Timing is everything,” Baum said. “Had we been notified and arrived just a few minutes later, it could have been a much worse outcome … The fact that we were able to confine that fire to one unit without any fire (spreading), kudos to our guys and the neighboring fire departments. They did a heck of a job.”
