Two Children Seriously Injured In Lansdowne Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Two young children are in the hospital after being rescued from an apartment fire in Baltimore County. The fire has also displaced about a dozen families right before Christmas.
The cause is still under investigation, and this was no small fire. Firefighters from around the region were called in to help knock it down. Families tell WJZ this is second fire at the apartment complex in the last year.
A picture taken by the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department showing the plumes of smoke coming out of the Circle Terrace Apartments in Baltimore County.
The blaze sent residents running and two children to the hospital.
"Smoke billowing out of my ceiling and in between the cracks of my closet and you just see all the smoke coming through. It was very scary," says apartment resident Kim Evans.
Firefighters from around the area responded to the 2 alarm fire. It took more than 40 pieces of equipment to extinguish the flames.
"We had units from many different companies within Baltimore County respond with assistance from Howard County and Baltimore City," says Baltimore County Fire Battalion Chief David Bycoffe.
Fire officials tell WJZ the two children transported hospitals are 6 and 10 years old.
Both children have been reported to have serious injuries and are being treated as priority one patients.
One witness tells WJZ she remembers the overwhelming scent of plastic during the fire.
"You just smelled plastic, a lot of burnt plastic and when the kids were like mommy the walls are on fire we just grabbed all that we could and we got out like we didn't have a chance to grab anything," says witness Kim Evans.
Fire officials say about 12 families will not be able to go back home. The Red Cross is now helping the families get back on their feet.
"We usually assist with sheltering, food, clothing, replacing medications," says Cyndi Ryan, with the American Red Cross.
Families are grateful for the extra help at this critical time, especially with the holidays just days away.
"Thank god we're okay it's just their stuff for Christmas, now I gotta figure out what I'm going to do for Sunday," says one woman.
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