NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif. — Four people were taken to the hospital Friday morning after an apartment fire in North Highlands, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
A man had started a fire in the apartment and barricaded himself in a bathroom, according to Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Parker Wilbourn. Sacramento County Sheriff Sgt. Kionna Rowe said the man had a knife and was holding a toddler, who is around one year old.
"When deputies were met with this threat, what do you do? How do you neutralize that threat? And try to save lives as well. So that was a concern," said Rowe.
Crews breached a wall and the man, toddler and a woman and a 12-year-old child were taken to a hospital. All four people are alive, according to Wilbourn.
The fire happened at a unit on Madison Avenue and Harrison Street.
At least two apartments have major damage and at least four others have smoke damage, according to Wilbourn. Three dogs that were rescued are alive, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
Sgt. Rowe said arson investigators are looking into the fire. She said the mother had a restraining order against the father, but since they have children in common, the court allows for visitation.
Sexual violence resources:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7)
- Voice: (800) 799-7233
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Voice: (888) 373-7888
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
- Voice: (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
- California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA)
- W.E.A.V.E.: Women Escaping a Violent Environment 1-866-920-2952
- RAINN: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
- NSVRC: National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- National Sexual Abuse Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE 1-800-656-4673
Watch more on ABC10