Father hailed hero after saving family from New Year's Day fire in Bear, Delaware
A father is being hailed a hero after saving his family from a fire at their apartment building in Bear, Delaware. The blaze sparked on New Year's Day at the Fox Run Apartments along Route 40, and now at least five people are recovering from injuries.
The father is in critical condition after he worked to save his wife and 8-month-old baby.
Investigators said the fire likely started in the back of the apartment building. The windows are boarded up, and the building was destroyed.
Soon after ringing in the new year, Alex Phipps raced out of his apartment as fast-moving flames started tearing through his building.
"I was confused, I was questioning, 'Am I going to be able to get my stuff?'" Phipps said. "I think the most traumatizing thing about it was hearing the dogs, the dogs just screaming."
The fire started around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at the Fox Run Apartments on Woodchuck Place. When firefighters arrived, they said flames fueled by the wind were shooting from the third floor. They found a father unconscious in the parking lot after saving his wife and 8-month-old baby boy. They were all rushed to the hospital.
"Of course, it's your family, so you're going to go to that to try to save your family," New Castle County Fire Chief Kevin Cowperthwait said, "but he did a fantastic job saving his family."
Investigators said a 5-month-old baby girl and a 20-year-old woman were also treated for smoke inhalation.
"It's the beginning of the year. It's New Year's Day, and they're just out of their whole property," Cowperthwait said, "and all their belongings are burnt up or at least lost, so a very tragic situation."
Phipps said he's now starting over, hoping gifts from his late father, including electronics and jewelry, can all be saved.
"My father's bracelet or my stepfather's rings," Phipps said. "I hope it gets better. Otherwise, it's just going to be a rough year."
Cowperthwait said at least five dogs were also rescued from the building.
The American Red Cross of Delmarva is assisting about three dozen people forced out by the fire.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating what caused the fire and estimates the damage to be $1 million.
A spokesperson for Morgan Properties, which manages Fox Run, released the following statement to CBS News Philadelphia:
"Our thoughts are with the residents and families affected by this tragedy. We are working with the American Red Cross to ensure that all displaced residents receive the necessary support during this difficult time. We thank all first responders for their heroic efforts on New Year's Day and are working closely with local authorities as they continue their investigation."
