ATLANTA — A fire is still smoldering more than four hours after engulfing an apartment building on Landrum Dr. SW in Atlanta Saturday night.
It started around 5:30 p.m., according to Atlanta Fire & Rescue.
When firefighters arrived, they realized people were trapped on the second floor of the building. They rescued three.
Neighbors like Neco McClure described climbing up the burning building to help others down.
“It was so hot,” said McClure.
He said the smoke overcame him, and he had to climb down until it cleared.
“I end up going back up there. When I got up there, she was scared to come down, losing her breath,” McClure said.
He said that’s when firefighters got to them with the ladder truck so they could climb down.
“Everybody got out OK. If anything was to be taken from it, everybody made it out,” said Deante Birdsong.
He and Aisha Bryant lost everything in their home.
“There are some things in there that’s irreplaceable like valuable memories,” said Bryant.
McClure said the woman he helped did not have enough time to escape with her mother’s ashes.
Atlanta Fire & Rescue Capt. Andrew Anderson said fire investigators will have to determine what caused the fire.
“Arson investigators are on the scene doing their preliminary and proto-typical investigation,” said Anderson.
Neighbors said it started when they heard thunder outside.
“When I first heard the boom, I was in my room,” said Satrice Glanton. “Immediately, right after that, it went up. So, I’m thinking that the lightning struck it.”
Anderson said no one was hurt in the fire. A firefighter did get some medical attention at some point, but they are OK.
Anderson said stringing fire hoses from the street hydrant to the back of the apartment complex did complicate efforts to control the flames.
At this point, crews are dousing water on hot spots to prevent them from firing up again.
Firefighters said the Red Cross will help those who have been displaced find a place to stay for the weekend.
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