4 police officers sent to hospital after rescuing residents trapped in East Vancouver apartment fire

Four VPD officers have now been released from hospital after a fire broke out at a building on Kingsway near Knight Street.

At about 2 p.m. today, patrol officers witnessed smoke coming from the second floor apartments over top of the shops along Kingsway.

Police entered the building and could hear the screams of residents inside unable to find their way out through the thick smoke.

Officers tried to fight the fire with extinguishers, crawled along the floor with flashlights and made voice contact with the trapped residents, directing them towards safety.

Prior to getting the victims out of the building, one of the officers was struck in the head as parts of the ceiling began to collapse.

All four people and two dogs trapped inside the building were successfully rescued.

The four police officers received minor injuries and suffered smoke inhalation, but are in good condition and will be recovering at home.

The section of Kingsway between Knight Street and Clark Drive was closed throughout the afternoon. The road reopened to traffic by 5 p.m.

Kingsway between Knight and Fraser, huge fire, firefighter is coming. Will effect traffic. pic.twitter.com/9wm6YK78Ya

— kittens first (@chubbymiao) August 27, 2014

Source: Vancouver Police | Feature Image: @chubbymiao via Twitter