20 Families Displaced After 3-Alarm Fire Erupts In Mount Laurel Condo Complex
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (CBS) -- A three-alarm blaze at a condo complex in Mount Laurel left up to 20 families displaced and one firefighter injured. The fire department was called out to the 2800 block of Auburn Court for a fire at the Brittany Lakes and Meadows condominium building around 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Some of the units were destroyed. Some neighbors went door-to-door to get people out.
Video from Chopper 3 showed flames shooting out from the roof as firefighters worked to put the fire out.
Neil Purcell says the fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of computers, possibly some back-to-school supplies he had just bought for his daughter, as well as years of memories he made while living here.
"I lost a lot of valuable things," he said.
Authorities haven't said what started the fire but viewer video shows the flames engulfing the condo in the middle of the building before spreading on both sides.
"What's being told to us it started from the bottom and worked it's way up top," resident Keith Gray said.
Gray is thankful he, his wife and their 8-year-old son are safe, but their pets were still inside.
"There's three cats in my house right now," Carter Gray said. "I'm very worried."
Officials later said crews went in and rescued the three cats. No people or pets who lived here were hurt by the flames, but a firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Up to 20 families won't be allowed back in their homes for at least tonight.
Officials aren't sure what caused the fire but some neighbors say they reported to the condo association a large amount of cigarette butts on the ground several times.
CBS3's Matt Petrillo contributed to this report.
