Feb 21, 2009 4:53 pm US/Eastern
Dozens Displaced After Baltimore Apartment Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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An apartment fire in the Dickey Hill section of Northwest Baltimore displaced several residents.
CBS
Smoke and flames broke out in West Baltimore Saturday. It took just minutes, but in the end 10 apartments were destroyed.
Suzanne Collins reports the fire at the apartment complex in Dickey Hill displaced several families.
Firefighters first received a call around 3:30 p.m.
The fire and smoke moved quickly but neighbors knocked on doors and got everyone out.
While the belongings of several families were completely destroyed, no lives were lost.
"I was asleep, and I heard the crackling noise. I didn't know what was going on. Then I smelled smoke and grabbed my coat and ran out the house just in time," says Joyce Sheperd.
Most of the apartment residents were not hurt, but one woman injured her ankle.
"One woman suffered an ankle injury after jumping from a second floor balcony in an attempt to escape the fire in her apartment," said fire department spokesman Chief Kevin Cartwright.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control.
One elderly resident escaped only with flip-flops.
Firefighters rescued not just human victims, but pets as well. Three dogs were seen nearby in cages.
Emotions soon set in as residents faced the reality of all their belongings being destroyed.
"I'm upset that all that I worked for is gone, but I thank God that everybody made it out," said Donita Cook.
Another resident tried to stay optimistic.
"You just have to start over again. I mean it's just material things, at least I'm alive," said Sean Smith.
The Red Cross responded to the scene and provided assistance to residents.
"We're helping 10 families so far. We are providing them with just the basics to get through the next couple of days, some shelter, some food, just the essentials," says Doug Lent of Red Cross.
The apartment complex said it would try to relocate displaced residents to unoccupied apartments.
Those who could not go with family or with friends were expected to be put up in hotels.
The cause of the fire has not been determined but WJZ's media partner, "The Baltimore Sun," reports the fire may have been started by food left cooking on an unattended stove.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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