MOUNT LEBANON, Pa. -- A two-alarm kitchen fire at a Mount Lebanon apartment belched thick smoke Tuesday evening that kept some residents from evacuating on their own, prompting firefighters on ladders to rescue them.

"They were fantastic. They were here in a minute, a minute and a half, got us down. I mean, for us, the whole thing was over in five minutes." - William Lawson Resident, telling of the firefighters' response

At about 7:20 p.m., firefighters were called to an apartment building at 270 Beverly Road, where the fire started in a first-floor apartment.

"It appears to have been a kitchen fire contained to that apartment. The good news is no injuries to civilians or firefighters," Mount Lebanon Fire Platoon Chief Rodger Ricciuti said.

Heavy smoke rose to the second and third floors where people were hanging out of windows, emergency officials and witnesses told WTAE Channel 4 Action News at the scene.

"It looked like most of the people were already out and from that top-left corner one," said Brian Prince, a witness. "The firemen went up and I guess there were two people who couldn't get out."

Smoke alarms activated and a dozen or more people evacuated seven of the eight apartments. In the eighth unit, residents William and Sandra Lawson decided they couldn't risk taking the stairs.

"By the time the alarms went off for us, it was pitch black smoke. There was no way out," William Lawson said. "We had to wait for the firemen to come and take us down a ladder."

William Lawson said the firefighters arrived so quickly, he had no fear.

"They were fantastic. They were here in a minute, a minute and a half, got us down. I mean, for us, the whole thing was over in five minutes," William Lawson said. "They were very precise, you know? 'Put your hand here, put you foot here.' (They) guided us all the way down. Smooth transition."

Smooth and just in time according to witnesses.

"Once they got then down and off to the side, smoke just started billowing out the top left window," said Danielle Prince, a witness.

The Red Cross told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that it has assisted a man with food, clothing and shelter.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing, but authorities said it may have been the result of a cooking accident.

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