PHOENIX -- Two Phoenix firefighters rushing to locate and rescue occupants on the second floor of a burning motel escaped serious injuries Thursday afternoon when a flaming roof partially collapsed and trapped them under burning debris.
The pair, wearing oxygen masks and helmets, somehow managed to free themselves and climb from the rubble just moments later. They were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The three-alarm fire erupted quickly at Motel 6 at 27th Avenue and Indian School Road.
The motel was fully engulfed in flames as crews pulled in to the scene.
It's not known how many guests were in their rooms at the time of the blaze, however motel management told CBS 5 News 30 of the 36 units were rented. None of the guests was injured, according to fire crews.
The fire sent huge columns of thick, black smoke towering into the air as firefighters erected four aerial ladders to attack the fast-spreading blaze.
Firefighters said it appeared the blazed started in a corner room. Flames quickly devoured the wood and shingle roof and spread rapidly across the entire structure.
It took fire crews about an hour to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Be sure to click on "Images" above for a slideshow of exclusive CBS 5 News footage showing the roof falling and briefly pinning the two firefighters.
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