Family, 3 Hollywood police officers hospitalized after apartment fire

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A family and three Hollywood police officers were hospitalized Monday morning after a fire erupted inside of a two-story apartment unit in Hollywood, fire rescue officials confirmed.

Read more Democrat Mallory McMorrow suspends her Michigan Senate campaign and scrambles the pivotal race

According to first responders, Hollywood firefighters responded to the residential fire at approximately 6:08 a.m. in the 2800 block of Pierce Street.

Three Hollywood police officers, however, arrived first and immediately went inside the home to search for the trapped victims.

Firefighters, who arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the apartment, arrived a short time later and also immediately began searching for the apartment’s occupants.

According to Hollywood Fire Rescue spokeswoman Chai Kauffman, firefighters rescued a mother and her two young children from the second floor of the apartment.

Read more Mali government reports rebel attacks targeting northern towns

The children’s grandfather, a man in his 70s, escaped by breaking a second-floor window before climbing out.

“We learned that a male in his 70s had broke a window from the second floor and was able to escape, but he sustained a major head injury,” Kauffman said.

The grandfather and children were taken to a hospital, and the three Hollywood police officers were also hospitalized.

Officials said the officers were treated for smoke inhalation. The conditions of the man and his two grandchildren have not been released.

Read more State Rep. Dotie Joseph joins Florida governor’s race

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.