Firefighters rescued nine residents from a burning East Ridge apartment building early Wednesday morning, according to a news release.
Firefighters, police and EMS were dispatched at 1:11 a.m. to an apartment on the 3700 block of Fountain Avenue in East Ridge, the release said.
Once they arrived, responders found heavy smoke coming from the building. Search crews set up ladders to the second floor and then entered the building from the ground floor as the fire attack crew worked to extinguish the blaze on the ground floor.
Search crews rescued nine occupants from the building.
"Most were asleep and could only escape down fire department ladders due to heavy smoke conditions," the release said. "Several family pets were located and rescued as well."
The news release said the origin and cause of the fire were being investigated by the fire investigation division of the East Ridge Fire Department.
Damage to the building was estimated at $30,000.
The American Red Cross responded to the scene and assisted about 24 occupants of the building.
- Compiled by Colin M. Stewart