LAS VEGAS -- A man was badly burned and a woman, two children and a neighbor were hospitalized for smoke inhalation after an apartment fire early this morning in northwest Las Vegas.

Firefighters said the woman lowered the children, ages 3 and 5, from a second-story balcony at complex near Cheyenne Avenue and Rancho Drive, after a fire that started in the kitchen.

The man suffered severe burns to half of his upper body and was rushed to University Medical Center.

Damage from the fire was estimated to be around $50,000, according to investigators.