A Jefferson City resident suffered life-threatening injuries in a structure fire early Friday morning.
At 1:50 a.m., the Jefferson City Fire Department (JCFD) received a call about a structure fire in an apartment building in the 900 block of Jackson Street, according to a JCFD news release.
Firefighters responded to the scene and found a large, multi-family apartment with fire coming from a second-story window. Firefighters began searching for victims and fighting the fire.
Crews found and rescued one person from a second-story apartment, the release said. Cole County EMS was on the scene to treat the victim.
According to the release, the victim was in life-threatening condition. EMS personnel suspected the victim had cyanide poisoning secondary to smoke inhalation. Crews gave the patient a CyanoKit (hydroxocobalamin) and performed other advanced life-support procedures, the release said.
EMS crews took the victim to a local hospital, where the victim reportedly remains in stable condition.
While EMS helped the victim, firefighters searched the other apartments and put out the fire. Nobody else was injured, but four people were displaced and are being helped by the Red Cross.
The release said the fire appears to have started on the second floor and is under investigation.
Five JCFD fire trucks responded to the fire with three chief officers. One chief officer and two medic units from Cole County EMS responded. Personnel from the State Fire Marshal's office and Jefferson City Police Department were also on scene.
"The fire department would like to remind everyone that having a working smoke detector on every level of your home is essential to early notification in the event of a fire and gives the greatest chance of escape," the release said.