Residents trapped in a smoke-clogged apartment block were rescued by vertical lift as fire crews battled a blaze along Northbourne Avenue on Thursday night.
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As of 10pm, eight residents had been taken to hospital with serious smoke inhalation, while two people were still being treated on the ground.
Just before 8:30pm, ACT Fire & Rescue rushed to the scene at the Capital Executive Apartments hotel.
While they were able to put the fire out, thick smoke permeated the three-storey building.
People trapped on the second and third floor were whisked down to safety by the crew's large Bronto truck.
After a tense search by firefighters, a spokesman confirmed all occupants had since been evacuated as crews continued to ventilate the halls.
The blaze is believed to have started in a corridor or an apartment, the spokesman said, but firefighers were continuing to investigate its cause.
A significant firefighting presence remained on scene as of 10pm, including four pumpers and HAZMAT trucks, and one lane of Northbourne Avenue was closed.
Emergency crews had their hands full overnight, responding to almost 200 calls for help following an intense storm earlier in the evening. Most of the calls related to fallen trees and powerlines, as well as water damage from flash flooding.
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