OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Firefighters rescued 24 senior citizens in an early morning apartment building fire in Old Orchard Beach.
The fire chief said the fire started at the Centennial Plaza apartments on School Street around 1 a.m. Thursday. When crews arrived, the chief said several people were hanging out of windows. A couple of people had to jump to safety. Twenty-four people were helped out of the building, two of whom were treated for minor injuries. All of the tenants are now accounted for.
Multiple fire departments were called in to help. Firefighters say the fire started as a kitchen fire on the first floor in the back of the building. Heavy smoke quickly filled the building.
Several ambulances were also called to the scene and a Scarborough school bus was brought in to keep people warm. The displaced tenants were then brought to the American Legion. The Red Cross is now assisting them.
There is no word yet on what caused the fire.