Three people evacutated from burning SE Portland apartment

UPDATE: One woman critically injured in two-alarm fire near Reed College early Sunday.

One woman was critically injured and two others slightly injured when fire erupted in an apartment complex near Reed College early Sunday morning.

The names of the victims were not immediately released.

According to Portland Fire & Rescue, the fire was initially reported at 5:15 a.m. on Feb. 5 in the area of Southeast 51st and Steele Street. Crews were unable to locate the fire when they initially arrived there, however.

Emergency dispatchers were able to track the caller's phone, who reported thick black smoke and fire coming from the residence to the area of Southeast 30th and Steele. When police and firefighters got there, they found heavy fire and thick black smoke coming from at least two units in aparrtment building.

A second alarm was immediately called when crews arrived.

Three people who found inside the building were evacuated. Additional ambulances were called to the scene.

PF&R Battalion Chief Jamie Klum told KOIN 6 News the three people were all in the same unit and lauded his crew for rescuing them from the burning apartment.

Four of the eight units in the building were damaged, Klum said. Klum said he hoped the other residents, who are getting help from the Red Cross, will be able to return to their apartments later Sunday.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

KOIN News 6 is a news partner of the Portland Tribune.