98 Residents Displaced By 5-Alarm Apartment Fire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Approximately 100 people are homeless after a massive five-alarm fire engulfed an apartment complex in West Philadelphia on Monday afternoon.
The fire started at about 2:30 p.m. at the Windmere Court Apartments, in the 4800 block of Walnut Street.
At first, some residents heard the smoke alarms go off, but then they went silent. Some thought it was a false alarm and did not leave the building right away.
Intense flames then tore through the roof of the apartment complex, leaving little time for people to gather their belongings before they had to get out.
"I ran back in and grabbed my daughter and got out. I did not hear any smoke alarms go off," resident Joe Pierce said.
The fire quickly rose to five alarms. The fire raced between walls, making it difficult for firefighters to figure out where it started.
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To make matters worse, an open space right under the roof fed the flames and engulfed much of the top floors on the apartment building.
"The fire started to run the roof cockloft a lot faster than we could get hose lines and firefighters up to that fourth floor," fire commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.
At least 100 people who lived at the building are now left with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, but they are alive.
The Red Cross established a temporary shelter at the nearby Lock Elementary School.
Among those being taken care of is a four-week-old baby.
"I lived here for 24 years. I lost everything," resident Jean Mapp said.
One hundred sixty firefighters fought the freezing cold temperatures along with the raging flames. Fortunately everyone got out of the building in time.
"It's an amazing achievement being exhibited by the Philadelphia Fire Department here tonight," Mayor Michael Nutter said.
The fire was brought under control just before 8 p.m. No one was seriously injured. There was no immediate word of a cause.
For more information and resources in regards to this fire, please visit the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross
Reported By Todd Quinones, CBS 3
