Jan 30, 2008 6:44 am US/Central
Fire Forces Residents From Dallas Apartments
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
At least two dozen people were jolted from their sleep Wednesday morning as a Dallas apartment fire quickly turned to four alarms and more than 100 firefighters came out to help.
"I look outside and all I see is fire blazing everywhere from left to right," said Sonora Palms resident Chris Beacham.
"We heard crackling. We heard fire. I look out the door and the next thing you know, the whole building on fire," said Lakisha Roberts, another one of the building's tenants.
Witnesses said at least one resident jumped from his second story balcony to escape the smoke and flames as other alert tenants went door-to-door to rouse fellow residents.
"A guy jumped off the balcony and the fire just exploded off the first floor and took over the next apartment above it," recalled resident Debbie Dionne. "Nobody even knew there was a fire, so we jumped out of the car and started beating on the doors, trying to get people out."
The fire started about 3:30 a.m. and moved quickly with help from the strong, cold wind.
Officials said the fire was contained to one three story building, where at least 12 of those residents escaped.
Fire authorities noted at 5:30 a.m. that no injuries had been reported, although the building is gone.
By daybreak, the flames had been contained. Residents were allowed to return and attempt to salvage anything they could find.
The American Red Cross set up a station at the intersection of Royal Lane and Skillman Street to help those who were displaced with warm blankets and emergency funds.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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