Residents rescued from balconies during fire at Raleigh apartment complex

The fire on 2209 Stonehenge Drive was mostly out by 9 a.m. on Friday, according to pictures from the scene.

"This was a rescue operation first and foremost, because we had residents on the balcony on the far left side of the building and many exiting through the smoke to get outside," said Richard Siebel, Raleigh Fire Department battalion chief.

The fire department put ladders up to those on the balcony to allow then to climbed down to safety.

Four people were taken to the hospital to be checked for smoke inhalation, but Siebel said they were expected to be fine.

The fire started on the first floor, Siebel said, but investigators have yet to determine a cause.

Those whose apartments were damaged will be relocated within the complex.