With flames raging through their home, four elderly residents in Brockton were rescued over manual and aerial ladders by firefighters Friday morning, officials said.

Two of the four residents are believed to be over 90 years old. Since flames blocked the stairway of the 2 1/2 story house, firefighters were forced to carry them over the railing of a second floor balcony and onto a ladder, a fire official said.

“I can only imagine the trepidation of the residents,’’ Brockton Deputy Fire Chief Brian Nardelli said Saturday night. “Rescuing someone over a ground ladder is never our first choice.’’