Burning Candle Caused Reisterstown Blaze
REISTERSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) — An apartment fire in Reisterstown injures residents and leaves a dozen families homeless.
Amy Yensi spoke to neighbors about the heroic acts of one of their own.
The rising flames burn right through a Reisterstown apartment building--leaving residents no choice but to run for their lives.
"Flames falling from the ceiling, things falling down, the windows bursting."
More than 70 Baltimore County firefighters rushed to the 100 block of Caraway Road just after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night within minutes calling it a second alarm.
"They had a heavy amount of fire on the second floor of an apt. building with a report of multiple rescues inside the building," said Captain Bruce Schultz.
Crews made their way past the smoke to save seven people from the second and third floors of the building.
Witnesses say one brave neighbor led the rescue effort, catching a woman who jumped from her third floor balcony.
After the leap of faith she called her husband.
"All I heard her saying is Terrence come home. I just jumped off the balcony. I thought I was going to die," said Terrence Taylor.
Neighbors say Cedric Bradley also went from door-to-door warning people. WJZ spoke to him after the fire was under control.
"You're just thinking these are lives that you have to save. There's no doubt about it, that you're going to step up and do what needs to be done," said Cedric Bradley.
The woman he rescued is among the 10 patients at the scene recovering form minor injuries. Though their apartments are now unlivable, neighbors are grateful to be alive.
"I was able to walk away without a scratch," Marcus Stansbury said.
Investigators say this was an accident fire caused by a candle that fell over in a second floor apartment.
The Red Cross is offering assistance to the displaced families. The property damage is estimated to be $200,000 to the building and $75,000 in content.
Investigators estimate the damage to be about $275,000.