At approximately 4:25 am on September 13, 2023, the Longview Fire Department responded to an emergency call reporting a structure fire at 110 East Hawkins Pkwy, Apt. 4304.
Upon arrival, the first unit on the scene encountered a blaze raging from the upstairs apartment. The firefighters spotted a victim perched on the second-floor window sill, requiring immediate rescue. The victim informed rescuers that others were still trapped inside the apartment.
Fire crews promptly entered the burning apartment to perform a primary search and located two additional victims confined within a bathroom adjacent to the master bedroom. Both victims were found unconscious and had to be extricated by the fire department. They were rushed to local hospitals with severe injuries, while a third victim, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, was also transported for medical care.
The fire department successfully contained the fire to the initial apartment, preventing its spread to adjacent units. Minor water damage affected the apartment below, and the upstairs neighbor's unit sustained smoke damage. No firefighters suffered injuries during the operation.
Several pets were rescued from the apartment and are currently receiving care at a local animal shelter. Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire.
It is worth noting that functional smoke detectors were present within the apartment, and the resident credited these devices with alerting them to the fire, ultimately leading to their escape.
The Longview Fire Department mounted a robust response to the incident, deploying six fire engines, three ladder trucks, two ambulances, and six support vehicles, involving a total of 37 personnel.
