Three people were taken to a hospital today after a three-alarm fire forced the evacuation of a five-story apartment building on Sheridan Street.

The fire stared in a third-story unit at 620 Sheridan St. about 10:30 a.m., said Honolulu Fire Capt. David Jenkins.

About 50 firefighters responded and found heavy smoke coming from the burning unit and flames spreading to a unit above.

Firefighters attacked the blaze with a water cannon and brought it under control in about 15 minutes.

The roughly 24 units in the building were evacuated, with firefighters escorting some residents out from the burning floor.

Jenkins said paramedics treated three people and transported them to a hospital, reportedly for smoke inhalation.

About an hour after the fire started, residents waited outside, some with their pets, for firefighters to allow them back in.

Jenkins said the apartment where the fire began sustained heavy damage while the unit above was also damaged.

Firefighters were investigating the cause and a damage estimate.