Firefighters rescue 2 trapped in burning Phoenix-area apartment

TEMPE, Ariz. — Firefighters rescued a man, a woman and two cats trapped in the bathroom of a burning second-story apartment early Wednesday morning near Arizona State University.

The young man and young woman were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, a Tempe Fire spokesman said.

The two told firefighters that the escape route in the unit near Apache Boulevard and Rural Road was cut off by flames but that they managed to grab their cats and and take shelter in the bathroom.

They stuffed towels under the door to keep out the smoke and slow the flames.

Tempe Fire Assistant Chief Hans Silberschlag said the firefighters dealt with fire on the balcony, then went inside to look for occupants.

“The two people were banging on the bathroom walls to let firefighters know where they were,” Silberschlag said. “That helped save their lives.

“They absolutely did the right thing. They were on the phone with 911 and were on the line with 911 when we moved in.”

The Phoenix Fire Department said the 911 operator, Brad Christmas, helped save the couple’s lives by giving them good advice and keeping them calm while firefighters worked.

Several neighbors of the unidentified man and woman in their early 20s had to be evacuated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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