UPDATED: Firefighters Save Two Lives During 5-Storey-High Balcony Rescue

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Last Updated: Saturday August 2nd, 9:02am.

Windsor firefighters saved the life of an elderly person and one other in a daring balcony rescue in the middle of the night, Saturday.

Fire crews were called to 76 Tecumseh Road East around 2:50am and found heavy smoke pouring from a north-side, fifth floor apartment balcony in the eight storey building.

Fire was shooting through the windows and balcony door of the apartment unit and two residents took refuge away from the fire, on the balcony.

Witnesses told windsoriteDOTca a fire truck from Station 1 sprung into action, raising its aerial ladder and rescuing the two residents – all within a few minutes of arriving.

“They’re heroes, true heroes,” said nearby Dufferin Street resident Marc Meloche who watched the rescue unfold from the building’s parking lot.

Other firefighters rushed to the fifth floor to fight the blaze while hundreds of tenants flooded out of the building.

Emergency crews closed down Tecumseh Road while more fire crews arrived.

EMS rushed one of the rescued individuals to hospital with smoke inhalation. Officials did not have any information on the second person.

By 4:15am fire was out and firefighters were seen inspecting the balcony and inside the fire unit for any flames that may have spread.

Fire officials say that three floors have smoke damage, five floors have water damage and eight apartment units have been damaged and those residents have been displaced.

The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called to the scene to assist in the instigation.