One man was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital in serious condition after suffering from smoke inhalation following a brief fire at the Prairie Ridge Place apartments, 2424 Melrose Place, Friday afternoon.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical responded to a report of a fire on the third floor of apartment building C at about 4 p.m. Friday. Upon entry, they discovered a victim on the third floor with signs of smoke inhalation and transported him by ambulance to the hospital.

Building C resident Marilyn Botkin credited her safe evacuation to her neighbors’ quick responses.

“Everybody worked as a team, banging on people’s doors to make sure they got out,” Botkin said.

The fire was reported extinguished by 4:15 p.m. No other injuries were reported.