(WSB Radio) -- A fire forced the evacuation of elderly residents of a high rise in Southwest Atlanta Monday.

Firefighters got the called from the Baptist Towers at 1881 Myrtle Drive shortly after 8:30 a.m.

WSB's Jon Lewis reports the side of the building is charred around the fifth floor and that dozens of residents were gathered in the parking lot, some in wheelchairs.

"You had some people who were calm and others who were panicked," said Marie Hill, who was visiting her mother at the time of the fire.

At least three residents were taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.