(PEACH SPRINGS, Az.) — CNN reports that the six people who were stuck about 200 feet underground at the Grand Canyon Caverns in Arizona were rescued with the help of local fire departments.

Two couples and one of the pair’s children were stranded on Sunday after an elevator malfunctioned. Firefighters with the Seligman Fire District responded to a call and were able to help the family of four up approximately 21 flights of escape ladders to the surface.

Seligman Fire Chief Gary Bennett said that the husband of the second couple, without the children, was also able to take the stairs but chose to stay with his wife at the motel located at the bottom of the caverns.

Douglas Grashel and stepdaughter Sherry Jiminez spoke with CNN on Tuesday night, saying “By that time, you could smell the smoke in the elevator shaft and see the smoke coming down into the cavern.”

“There was no way in the world that we were going to be able to make it up,” Grashel said. “I’ve got back surgery scheduled. My wife’s got two artificial knees and is having trouble with those.”

The Grand Canyon Caverns is a tourist attraction, allowing visitors the chance to tour inside an ancient underground cave, dine, and stay in a motel.

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