Firefighter Injured After Battling Blaze Near White Rock Lake

Four people, including one Dallas firefighter, were injured Tuesday morning when a fire broke out at a Dallas apartment complex.

The fire happened at the Legends on Lake Highlands Apartment Homes in the 11000 block of E. Lake Highlands Drive, northeast of White Rock Lake.

When firefighters arrived, smoke could be seen coming from the roof of the apartment complex. They were also warned of people that might have been trapped inside the apartments.

Witnesses said they watched firefighters raise a ladder to rescue a woman on the second story of a burning building, the flames swelled and blew back the firefighters and the resident.

"I still feel terrified I was just praying, praying that everyone was okay," a neighbor named Sarah said.

A firefighter fell from a ladder and hit a wrought iron fence below, according to witnesses. The firefighter was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to be OK, according to a spokesperson for Dallas Fire-Rescue.

Two people were taken to a local hospital with undisclosed burn injuries, while a third resident was treated at the scene but chose not to be transported.

Neighbors called the firefighters heroes.

"I'm so thankful," Sarah said. "It's absolutely amazing and incredible. His courage, just so thankful these firefighters were here."

Susan Thornton lost her home in the fire but was grateful for the quick response of firefighters.

"They were just amazing," she said.

Four of the 16 in the building units were damaged by the fire. Apartment managers are working to relocate the residents to other vacant apartments in the same complex.

Investigators found that the fire started in the kitchen area of one of the units, but an exact cause has not been determined.