Tenants displaced after fire in West Lincoln apartment

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) –The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon at an apartment building on the corner of 8th and H Streets.

Fire crews arrived at the six-unit complex after receiving reports of smoke coming from the building.

According to Lincoln Fire and Rescue, six people were rescued from the three-story building by climbing out the window and down ladders provided by multiple fire engines.

Apartment resident Galina Norman, described the terrifying feeling she and her boyfriend had before they escaped.

“I think the fire started on the lower half, I think some of the firefighters said they were by the basement. We thought we got smoked out, it was really bad. In the five minutes it took for them to show up, our apartment went from clear to black smoke everywhere. We were leaning out the window screaming for the ladders,” said Norman.

LFR says they were able to put the fire out quickly and assist residents trapped inside. Ten-year-old Layza Desouza’s family of six was brought out safely, while her neighbor took more drastic measures to escape the flames.

“The ambulance came and put the stairs out for us to go and walk out, we heard that our neighbor was jumping out the window and got injured,” said Desouza.

There were no fatalities, but one resident was taken to the hospital for treatment of an unspecified injury.

Officials say the apartment complex has severe smoke damage and residents will not be able to return to their homes.

As of now the cause of the fire remains under investigation.