An early-morning fire destroyed a Glen Burnie apartment building yesterday, sending four occupants to the hospital and forcing residents of all 12 units to evacuate.

Anne Arundel County firefighters responded at 2: 12 a.m. to the fire at 300 Highland Drive, in the sprawling Southgate Village apartment complex, and found flames coming from the rear of one of the apartments.

Three other departments responded, and the fire was extinguished by 3: 30 a.m., said Chief John Scholz, of the county's EMS, fire and rescue department.

Four residents of Unit 102 were rescued from the building by firefighters and taken to North Arundel Hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation and released.

Occupants of the other 11 units were not allowed to return to their homes.

"Red Cross is working with the management company to find shelter for these folks," Scholz said.

The cause of the fire, which originated in the apartment's rear balcony, was not known.

Pub Date: 7/26/98