WYOMING, Mich. — Firefighters rescued multiple residents and a pet cat during a late-night apartment fire Tuesday in the city of Wyoming, officials said.

The Wyoming Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire near the 4200 block of Clyde Park at approximately 8:45 p.m. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire at the rear of the building, with flames rapidly spreading toward the roof.

Firefighters were informed that several occupants were trapped on the third floor. Crews quickly deployed a 35-foot ground ladder and rescued two adults, one child and a cat from a third-floor window. All were safely removed and turned over to AMR ambulance crews for evaluation.

Authorities said the three residents were transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. Their injuries were considered non-life-threatening.

Fire crews worked in extremely harsh conditions, with single-digit temperatures and wind chills below zero. Portions of the building collapsed as the fire spread, complicating suppression efforts. An excavator was later brought in to assist with demolition so crews could fully extinguish the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Wyoming Fire Department thanked numerous agencies for their assistance, including the Wyoming Police Department, neighboring fire departments, AMR Ambulance, Kent County Dispatch Authority, the American Red Cross, Wyoming Public Schools Transportation Division, and local utility companies.

Fire officials reminded residents of the importance of working smoke alarms and having an emergency escape plan in place.

Source: City of Wyoming – City Hall