NORWAY, Maine — A teenager was brought to a hospital following an apartment building fire in Norway Monday afternoon.
Norway Fire Chief David Knox told NEWS CENTER Maine first responders including Norway police and Pace ambulance were called to the fire on Hazen Street just before 4 p.m. The fire began at a stove and impacted one unit in the multi-unit apartment building.
Crews reportedly kicked down a door to find a 16-year-old girl with special needs who had inhaled smoke. Knox said she was brought to a hospital.
The fire was put out in approximately five minutes, Knox told NEWS CENTER Maine.
The fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire.
The fire department said the rescue of the teen may not have happened had the neighbors across the street not heard the smoke detectors going off. The neighbors called 911 and tried the enter the building to help before emergency officials got to the scene and pulled her out, according to officials.
"Time matters," the fire department wrote in a social media post. "One more minute and the outcome could have been worse. Working smoke detectors and neighbors responding saved those minutes and helped stop a possible catastrophic situation for a child."
The fire department said to please make sure your smoke detectors are working, as it could save someone's life.