Nearly 200 residents had to flee a high-rise apartment building in Riverside when a fire broke out early Thursday morning.
Firefighters were called to the 16-story building in the 3900 block of Tenth Street at about 12:30 a.m.
A fire had fully engulfed a 10th floor apartment and smoke filled several more units on that floor and above, a public information officer for the City of Riverside Fire Department said at the scene.
About 185 residents, many of whom are seniors with limited mobility, had to leave the building as firefighters worked to put out the flames, which was contained to the apartment where the fire started, the spokesman said.
While entering the building they found a woman lying in the hallway. Firefighters covered the woman while the fire was knocked down and she taken downstairs to safety, officials said in a news release. She was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to a hospital.
Video from the scene showed dozens of displaced residents waiting at a senior center next door to the apartment building.
Once the fire was out, officials began letting some people back inside their units about 4 a.m., but the 10th floor remained closed, the spokesman said.
Some water and smoke damage also kept some ninth-floor units closed, the spokesman said.
The Red Cross was on hand to help with displaced residents and nearby Dale Senior Center served as a temporary evacuation center.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
