6 people, 2 dogs hospitalized after huge fire in New Castle County apartment: officials

BEAR, Del. - Six people, including two children, were hospitalized after a huge fire inside an apartment building in New Castle County, while 36 others were displaced.

The scene unfolded on the 1000 block of Woodchuck Place, at the Fox Run Apartments, in Bear Wednesday afternoon, around 2:30, according to officials. Fire crews took swift action after multiple 911 calls were placed about the fire.

Firefighters arrived to find huge "wind-driven" flames leaping out of apartments of one of the three-story structures at the complex.

Crews quickly called a second alarm as the wind drove the flames into the attic of the building. The fire tore through the roof of the end of one of the buildings while smoke poured out of the entire dwelling.

While searching for victims, firefighters found a semi-conscious dog in a third-floor apartment.

Six people, including two children and two dogs, were treated by medics at the scene before being transported to area hospitals for further treatment. Authorities say two people were critically injured.

Damage to the apartment building is estimated to be over $1 million. The Red Cross is assisting about 36 people who lost their homes.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.