Trapped residents rescued after Balwyn social housing block fire

More than a dozen residents in a block of social housing units in Balwyn were trapped in their apartments when the building went up in flames overnight.

Fire crews were called to the Mangan Street address just before 10pm last night, going door to door to evacuate the 30 units.

Commander at Fire Rescue Victoria, John Dacos, says there were “a number of residents trapped within their apartments who couldn’t self-evacuate” and it was “very lucky” there weren’t fatalities.

Press PLAY below to hear how the “extremely difficult” rescue unfolded

“It was quite a confronting scene,” he told Neil Mitchell.

One resident was treated for smoke inhalation and another, a man aged in 60s, was taken to hospital with chest pains.

Image: Nine News