8 hospitalized following battle at Cheltenham high-rise

WYNCOTE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Eight people were hospitalized following a fire inside a high rise apartment building in Cheltenham's Wyncote section Saturday afternoon.

The fire broke out shortly after noon at the Towers at Wyncote Apartments on the 8400 block of Limekiln Pike.

Fire crews had to break through windows on the eleventh floor to douse a blaze that began in the kitchen of an end unit.

Alarms went off and people in more than 300 units evacuated Building 1 of the complex.

Firefighters say no rescues had to be made, but eight people were taken the hospital, including one firefighter.

Several pets were rescued by the Redpaw Relief Team.

Multiple companies responded to the fire and crews were able to get it under control in under an hour.

The high temperatures made fighting the high-rise fire even harder. The hazmat team provided special cooling vests for firefighters.

Some residents will be able to return to their homes, and The Red Cross is helping those out of their homes tonight.

At this point fire officials believe this is an accident, but the investigation is ongoing.