Residents Cleaning Up From Fire
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Craig Hauser had few words to describe the charred mess that was his home.
"I was shocked. I didn't think it'd be that bad," he said.
With no roof overhead, he salvaged what few possessions he could and walked away.
"It's all wet, and I'm sure it stinks," he said, of the handful of shirts he was clutching.
The fire that ravaged a section of Sequoia Apartments off Frankford Road started around 10:30 Friday morning.
Firefighters blame a faulty chimney that allowed embers from a starter log to escape through an open space in the flue.
When the flames reached the attic, they spread quickly, destroying six apartments on the top floor.
"My first thought was – make sure everybody gets out safely," said David Rohu, who knocked on doors, warning people of the encroaching fire "Tragic on a holiday weekend," he said.
The fire damaged 28 units in all, forcing about 60 people out of their homes.
American Red Cross volunteers worked with victims to make sure they all had a place to spend the night, while arrangements are made to find them new homes.
After firefighters cleared the scene, residents were allowed back inside their apartments to gather their belongings in garbage bags.
Travis Stevermer was one of the lucky ones. "A lot of my stuff's pretty much here. I mean, it smells like smoke, but it got spared."
In the end, though, there was just one thing he cared about saving – his one year old puppy, Jacob, who was rescued by firefighters. "He's a little shook up, but he's okay," he said.
Only one person was injured in the fire. A firefighter had to be taken to the hospital after something hit him in the head. He was quickly released and sent home.
