By Frank Lesnefsky
The Times-Tribune
SCRANTON, Pa. — Scranton firefighters rescued at least five people from a burning building early Wednesday as a fire tore through their West Scranton apartments, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Scott said.
Firefighters responded to a structure fire at the West Side Hotel, 129 S. Main Ave., at 2:03 a.m. Wednesday, Scott said. As the three-story, multi-unit building burned, firefighters used ladders to rescue people hanging out of windows on the third floor, with others rescued from the interior, he said.
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The Scranton Fire Department escalated it to a third-alarm fire due to its severity, drawing in first responders from surrounding communities, including the Dunmore Fire Department.
City firefighters continued working to extinguish the flames late Wednesday morning, with off-duty members called in to respond to other emergencies, Scott said.
More than 20 residents were displaced, he said.
The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at the West Scranton High School to assist displaced residents, including providing food, shelter, relief supplies and emotional support, according to a press release from the Red Cross.
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