Apartment Fire Rages In Monroe, Leaves Dozens Of Families Displaced
MONROE (WWJ) -- A fire that broke out at around 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning drew firefighters from 10 different departments and displaced about 50 families at the Hidden Trails Apartment complex in Monroe on Steward Road near Telegraph.
Some people had to be helped out of the building on stretchers according to Len Rose of the Red Cross relief team.
"We have over 100 firefighters -- we have to feed them, take care of them, besides taking care of the families," Rose said. "We took the 49 families over to a church that opened about two blocks away. We've got three case workers in there now that will take care of the families."
No serious injuries have been reported and there is no word yet on what caused the fire.
"Depending on how many we have left, some people are staying with their families," Rose said. "We will probably open up a shelter to put them in if we have to."
One of the victims, Alex Gallegos, 13, said that his family has insurance, but is worried about seeing his priceless mementos again, like photos and money for college.
Gallegos said that his 5-year-old brother, Angel, saved his life when he woke the family this morning after smelling smoke and hearing the fire siren.
Fire crews said that because the origin of the blaze is unknown, they remain on the scene putting out hotspots.