Firefighters rescued five people from a grease fire at Lakewood Apartments yesterday, which began in an apartment on the ground floor and spread to six other apartments.

Four minutes after the 10:31 a.m. call, Engine 91, only in service since May 14, responded to the fire in apartment 100–1, said Stafford County Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown.

Firefighters helped three people off third-floor balconies using ladders, and led two more residents through the building from the second floor. Three of the rescued residents were transported to Mary Washington Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Brown said.

Lt. Kimberly Harper, public information officer, said the injuries involved an ankle, thumb and a complaint of chest pain.

A few residents stood outside the building waiting to be let back into their apartments. One woman was still in her pajamas and without shoes.

Harper said no one would be allowed inside until firefighters could guarantee the fire would not rekindle.

Once the scene was secured, Ralph Magnus of the American Red Cross arrived to help the displaced families.

“If they need a motel, we’ll get one,” Magnus said. Food and clothing will be made available should residents require them.

After the firefighters rescued the residents, they also saved two dogs and a bird, Harper said.

Today was a success story for the new Aquia unit, which went into service last month.

In the past, it took eight to 10 minutes for Stafford or Potomac Hills rescue vehicles to reach the Aquia area, Brown said.

“This is a textbook case” of why the Aquia crew was needed, he said.

Kate Harmon: 540/374-5000, ext. 5779

kharmon@freelancestar.com