Firefighters rescued seven people early this morning, and EMS providers treated four others who jumped three stories from a burning apartment building on Jefferson St., NW.

The fire was reported through a 9-1-1 call at 2:30 am. A frantic caller told dispatchers that fire was showing from a first floor apartment, and the whole building had filled with smoke.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find a scene of utter chaos. Several people were crowding the windows of the three-story brick building. Four people had already jumped from the third floor and were laying seriously injured in the rear of the structure.

Firefighter/EMTs from Truck 6 rescued three people via ground ladders. Firefighter Rob Chamberlain and Lt. Paul Jones carried the rescued people down ladders, while Firefighters Eric Carlsons, Dave Brown, and R. Maffay rendered aid to the injured. Firefighters B. Holston, N. Kelly and M. Lewis from Truck 11 rescued two people via the interior stairs, while Lt. Graham and Firefighter Tony Prince tended the injured. Lt. Mitch Molenof reported his colleagues from Engine 17 helped one person out of the building.

"This was a well-orchestrated fire suppression operation," said Battalion Fire Chief Thomas Herlihy, the incident commander. "All of our firefighters did precisely what they were supposed to do, including tending to the injured who had already jumped prior to our arrival."

"All [the victims] had injuries consistent with falling a great distance," said EMS Supervisor Roberto Hernandez. "Broken legs and possible internal injuries gave us great concern."

The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental, but no specifics are being released at this time. Damage estimates have been placed at $10,000.