Fresno firefighters rescued an 89-year-old woman in critical condition and treated a police officer for smoke inhalation after a blaze in the 500 block of North Fulton Street

By Anthony Galaviz
The Fresno Bee

FRESNO, Calif. — A Fresno police officer and a resident were hospitalized following a house fire Sunday night.

Fresno Fire Department crews responded to the blaze just after 5 p.m. in the 500 block of North Fulton Street, near Belmont Avenue, after reports of people possibly trapped inside, according to fire spokesperson Josh Sellers.

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Upon arrival, firefighters entered rescue mode and searched the home for anyone inside.

An 89-year-old woman was rescued from the house and taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where she is in critical condition, Sellers said.

A second person managed to exit the home on their own and was being evaluated by EMS.

Before fire crews arrived, a police officer attempted to rescue residents but was overcome by “an extreme amount of smoke,” said Fresno police Lt. Justin Hoagland.

The officer was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and is in stable condition. She was later released from the hospital.

About 50 firefighters were on scene battling the blaze, Sellers said.

Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire and treating it as an arson.

Fulton Street is expected to remain closed for several hours.

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