Firefighters save three people and dog from blaze engulfing Bowie condos

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Fire crews rescued three people and a dog off a condo balcony in Bowie Monday and subdued flames that punished parts of the building.  

The Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department reported taking one woman to the hospital for evaluation. Members of the Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross attended to other displaced residents, and so far officials say 14 families can not return to their homes. 

The fire broke out behind city hall, just after 1:00 p.m., at the Woodland Lake and Bowie Condominiums. 

When firefighters arrived at the complex on Everglade Lane, smoke was already billowing out of the roof. 

Crews had to climb long ladders to reach the hot spots burning through the four-story multifamily dwelling. 

April Goldsbourough was out when she got a call that her home on the top floor was on fire. 

All she could think about was her pet parrot, Andre, trapped inside.  

"He means a lot. He’s my traveling bird. Whenever we go out of town, he’s the one we take with us," Goldsborough told FOX 5. "When they said they was bringing him down, and they had the cage, I was excited."

Ms. Goldsborough reunited with Andre as fire crews battled the flames at the Woodland Lake and Bowie Condominiums. 

Sharon Smith, another homeowner, told FOX 5 she was thankful for the fire department's swift response. 

"I’m just grateful that everyone that was in the building got out safely and that our renter, of course, was not harmed," Smith said. 

The entrance to the Woodland Lake and Bowie Condos was previously closed off to drivers but has since reopened. The investigation into what sparked the fire continues. 

This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.