COLORADO SPRING, Colo. - A telephone repairman helped a Colorado Springs woman escape from a burning apartment building by putting a ladder against a second-floor balcony so she could climb down.

The Gazette reports Mike Burns, who works for Qwest Communications International Inc., was working at the building when he heard screams.

The newspaper says he grabbed a ladder from his truck and leaned it against the balcony, and Sherry Taylor climbed down.

Neither was hurt. Authorities say two firefighters and a police officer suffered minor injuries.

Firefighters say an electrical problem in a stove appeared to be the cause. They estimated the damage at $250,000.

A fire marshal says Monday's fire doesn't appear to be related to a March blaze at the building.

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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com


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