5 rescued in Dallas apartment fire, 2 hospitalized

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DALLAS - An accidental apartment fire sparked by combustibles left near a heat source displaced dozens of residents in Northeast Dallas early Sunday morning, officials said.

Lake Highlands apartment fire

What we know:

Dallas Fire-Rescue units were dispatched to the Park on Whitehurst Apartments at 9911 Whitehurst Dr. at 1:50 a.m. following multiple 911 calls. Arriving crews found heavy flames venting from the three-story building and received reports of residents trapped inside.

Firefighters launched immediate search-and-rescue operations alongside fire suppression efforts. However, as the fire reached advanced stages, a second alarm was struck at 2 a.m. Command soon ordered all personnel to evacuate the structure to transition to a defensive "aerial attack."

The fire was declared extinguished at 4:35 a.m.

All residents were eventually accounted for, though two people were taken to local hospitals for their injuries.

Investigators determined the fire started on a first-floor balcony when combustible materials were ignited by a nearby heat source. The flames traveled up the exterior of the building and into the attic, spreading across the entire roofline.

What's next:

All 36 units in the building were rendered uninhabitable. The American Red Cross is currently on-site assisting at least 20 displaced residents with emergency needs.