COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Dozens of people had to escape their homes when fire ripped through a multi-unit apartment Thursday.
College Park firefighters were called to the Residents of Central Park apartments on Camp Creek Road at about 11:30 a.m. Fifteen families were affected by the fire.
There were still small pockets of flames when Channel 2’s Erica Byfield reported from the scene during Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m.
Officials say several renters jumped off balconies to save themselves.
“I walked towards the kitchen. I was trying to (lie) down so the smoke wouldn’t get in my lungs,” Shandra Dennis said.
“Some of the doors we couldn’t kick out, so we kicked in windows,” Mark Jones said.
Residents say someone cooking on the second-floor unit forgot the stove was on and within seconds the building was on fire.
It was cold for not only the people who lost their homes, but the firefighters battling the blaze. They used a MARTA bus on th scene to warm up.
Apartment fire College Park. Renters jumped off of balconies to save themselves. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/kfhGNau9iE
— Erica Byfield (@EricaByfieldWSB) Officials say they cannot start their investigation into the cause of the fire until they get the fire out. The Red Cross is working on finding places for the displaced families to stay Thursday night.
There were no reported injuries. In total, 29 people lost their homes.