BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Dozens of people lost everything when flames broke out at a Brookhaven apartment complex Friday night.
Crews remained on scene at the Marquis Terrace Apartments early Saturday morning keeping a close eye on the building and several hot spots.
The fire destroyed several apartments and the roof of the building off Buford Highway.
Cellphone video shot by a resident showed how powerful the flames were when firefighters arrived.
"We literally had fire going from one end of the building to another,” said Capt. Eric Jackson with DeKalb County Fire Rescue.
Firefighters battled flames from the building, which houses a dozen apartments, for most of the night.
The fire started around 11 p.m. on Friday. Firefighters went inside looking for anyone trapped, but believe everyone escaped unharmed.
Residents spent the cold night bundled up in blankets. Some couldn’t hold back their tears, like mother Carmen Munez, who came home to find the apartment where she and her family had lived the past four years destroyed.
Firefighters busted through the wall to get to the flames and to get water inside.
After almost three hours, the fire flared back up as firefighters poured water on from high above.
"Conditions did deteriorate so we went totally defensive and totally fighting this fire from the outside,” said Jackson.
Resident Carlos Garcia told us he doesn't understand how this happened, but is thankful his family's safe.
“Right now, everyone is OK. He believes everyone got out safely,” said Garcia
Volunteers with the American Red Cross are helping the 47 people impacted in the 12 apartments by getting them food, clothing, and medications, as well as a temporary place to stay.
Firefighters are working to figure out how and where the fire started.
WSBTV
