1 Hospitalized After Apartment Fire In Southeast Baltimore
Baltimore (WJZ)-- A fire burned through apartment after apartment early Friday morning, seriously injuring one woman and triggering multiple resources.
Alex DeMetrick reports it happened on Dundalk Avenue near the city/county line.
It started at 1 a.m. and quickly went to two alarms. On the top floor, Baltimore City firefighters found an older woman lying on a landing just outside her door.
"She was burnt and she was removed from the third floor," said Baltimore City Fire Chief Frank Farrell.
"It was just engulfed. It was bad," said eyewitness John Forbs.
So bad, firefighters had to rescue some of the apartment building's tenants with ladders as the fire raced along the roof, burning one apartment after the next.
"A minimum of 12 apartments severely damaged," Farrell said. "Thirty-six occupants, different apartments, displaced."
With daylight came the first clear view of the destruction---and the close call dozens experienced.
"I ran out the door, up and down the hallways, waking people up and letting them know there's a fire so they can get out," said Robert Myers.
Many of those evacuated returned to find their apartments completely destroyed.
"I lost everything---I lost my cats," said one resident. "I lost everything."
"I'm gonna check it out now. I hope [it's all right]," Myers said. "We'll be homeless if it ain't all right."
The Red Cross is offering assistance to those burned out by the fire. If the loss isn't total, damage from smoke, water and burning debris is still severe.
The burned woman was taken to Hopkins Bayview. Her condition is unknown.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.