Man killed, six families displaced after fire at East Point apartment complex

EAST POINT, Ga. — A man was found dead and several families were displaced after an apartment fire in the city of East Point Tuesday night.

The fire broke out about 9:50 p.m. in a complex on Vesta Avenue just off Main Street.

The friend of a disabled man trapped by an apartment complex fire told Channel 2's Audrey Washington he is stunned by the loss. The victim has not been identified.

“I just think it’s a terrible thing to happen,” Johnny Ludlum said. “He didn’t have any money. All his disability went to having a place to stay.”

TRENDING STORIES:

• 15-year-old boys charged with murder in north Georgia man's death
• LIVE UPDATES: Former President George H.W. Bush heads back to Texas for burial
• Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns: 'Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions'

East Point firefighters said that when they arrived they found flames shooting from the bottom floor of the building.

Firefighters are looking into what started the fire, but the building’s owner said officials told her the fire started where the victim lived.

About 30 percent of the building was damaged in the blaze, officials said.

The Red Cross is assisting six families displaced by the fire with lodging and other emergency essentials, according to the organization.

Information from our partners at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was used in this report.

Cox Media Group