Officials say 32 people have been displaced following a fire at a Freeport apartment building.

According to officials, a firefighter was trapped in the basement of the burning and needed to use his axe to free himself.

The fire broke out on North Columbus Avenue.

The mayor says the firefighter was trapped by debris and cut through a wall to escape.

All of the residents made it out safely.

The chief fire marshal says the fire was caused by an unattended candle.