Residents Displaced After Oakland Park Apartment Building Fire
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Two dozen residents of an Oakland Park apartment building were burned out of their homes Monday morning.
Chopper 4 over the scene at the Greentree Apartments at 5200 North Dixie Highway found the roof fires on three sections of the two story building, one section had partially collapsed.
As flames shot out of the building's windows and through its roof, its residents could only watch and hope for the best.
"They were pretty big. I mean it looked like it was out of a movie they went up about 25, 40 feet," said Ray.
"The entire place was engulfed," said apartment building resident Darcy Metoyer.
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Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue said the fire started around 6 a.m.
Neighbors worked together and went door to door to make sure everyone made it out.
"I'm proud of all these people for getting everyone out and no one was hurt," said Metoyer.
"I heard the alarm go off so I just had to wake up out some clothes on go outside," said Shameka Barnes.
"I heard people screaming 'fire' so I kind of panicked because you know your natural instincts kick in," said Richard Polanco.
Ft. Lauderdale Fire Rescue sent units to assist in putting out the fire.
"This was one of the largest alarms we've had in the city in probably I would say nine years," said fire Chief Donald Widing.
Residents said the owner of the second floor unit where the fire started desperately tried to put it out, but the flames were too intense.
"He was really panicking and running all over the place. He had the extinguisher was aiming it at the second floor," said Polanco.
In all, 16 units were damaged by fire, smoke and water.
:My grandson is fine, everybody is fine you know. It's just stuff, you can replace it. I feel bad for them because they've lost everything, but it's stuff," said Metoyers.
The Red Cross was called in to assist the displaced residents.