At least 2 dead in fire in Dallas assisted living facility

DALLAS -- A five-alarm fire was burning in an assisted living facility in northeast Dallas early Wednesday, forcing firefighters to conduct evacuations even as they fought the flames, reports CBS Dallas.

At least two people were killed, authorities said. Two civilian bodies were found in a unit where the fire is believed to have originated, Dallas Fire-Rescue told CBS News.

Flames and heavy smoke were seen when firefighters first arrived at the Gatewood Apartments around 2:15 a.m.

Dallas Fire-Rescue told CBS Dallas several people were calling the fire dispatch office asking to be rescued, and some 300 residents were brought out, some with the use of ladders. The Red Cross assisted.

Many residents were hard to rescue because they were in wheelchairs or needed extra assistance. More than 150 firefighters responded to the blaze.

Some were taken on stretchers to ambulances as well as a staging area.

Three residents were hurt during the fire and had to be transported to the hospital -- two for smoke inhalation and one who was experiencing serious breathing problems, said to Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans. The injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

One woman told CBS Dallas she crawled through hallways to safety -- and a neighbor rescued her parrot.