Pasadena family rescued after being trapped on balcony during fire

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Firefighters rescued a Pasadena family from a balcony during an apartment fire late Sunday afternoon that left more than 60 residents were displaced, according to fire officials.

Shortly after 5 p.m., firefighters arrived at 775 Worcester Avenue to find flames and heavy smoke coming from a three-story apartment building, said Lisa Derderian, spokeswoman for the Pasadena Fire Department. A family was trapped on a balcony on the third floor directly above the second-story unit where the blaze broke out, Derderian said, adding that they could not escape through the door because of heavy smoke.

After firefighters raised a ladder to the balcony, they brought down three young girls, approximately 2, 4 and 8 years old, Derderian said. Firefighters helped the father down the ladder. The mother fainted and was brought down through the smoke-filled hallway. She was taken to a hospital. The girls were also taken to a hospital as a precaution, Derderian said.

About 60 residents were displaced because of the fire. A shelter was set up for them in the Jackie Robinson Community Center, where about 13 residents remained Monday morning. Residents were allowed to re-enter about 15 of the affected units Sunday night, but another 15 were still uninhabitable Monday morning because of safety and security concerns, Derderian said.

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-- Mark Kellam, Times Community News