DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A fast-moving fire damaged 10 units at a DeKalb County apartment Monday night. But survivors say a neighbor helped alert many to escape the flames.
The fire broke out at the Birch Run apartments on Summerwood Drive around 8:30 p.m.
One woman said her child noticed flames and then knocked on her neighbor's doors to get them out.
“My daughter looked out the window and said it’s a fire so we started knocking on doors,” said resident Zanisha Mays.
Although everyone made it out alive, many lost everything in the fire.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Gunfire erupts at Club Crucial in Atlanta
- Attorney: Jeffrey Hazelwood was doomed from the start
- Parents warned about clown luring kids into woods in South Carolina
“She beat on the door, beat on the door. She said, 'Miss Shumuar, Miss Shumuar, please get out,' said Shumuar Boyd.
The fire damaged 10 units and destroyed the back of the building.
“The fire rapidly, rapidly moved to the end to my unit. I lost everything,” Boyd said.
“There were individuals that were still inside some units that were retrieving items during the time the fire was taking place ,” Capt. Eric Jackson.
Many residents will now have to find a new place to stay.
“From what was told to us, someone was inappropriately grilling on their patio, which we all know is prohibited and now it has cost us our homes,” said Dr. Monique McMiller.