At least five people were injured and dozens of others displaced following an early morning fire at an east Fort Worth apartment complex.
Fort Worth Fire was called to the La Jolla Terrace apartments at 1313 Alexis Avenue, just off of Randol Mill Road near Interstate-30, just before 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
It took fire crews nearly an hour to get the fire under control, but not before it destroyed one apartment building and damaged two others.
Several people reportedly had to jump from second floor apartments to escape the fire. At least two people suffered traumatic injuries doing that, according to the fire department.
Two others suffered smoke inhalation and other traumatic injuries. All four people were taken to local hospitals.
Fort Worth fire says a fifth person was treated and released at the scene with a minor burn.
The fire department says people helped get each other out of various apartments as the fire spread.
Several residents shared cell phone videos showing the intense blaze.
Several said their smoke detectors never went off even though there was smoke in the air. Others said the fire was extremely hot and that there were explosions.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
“As soon as you came downstairs, you could feel the heat from the fire and so can you imagine people trying to get out of their windows just to escape that,” said Nei Bradley.
Bradley and her family lived in a second floor apartment. Most of their belongings were destroyed by water and smoke damage after the fire spread to their building.
“All of the roof has big holes in it, everything on the inside is pretty much gone,” Bradley said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and there is not an estimate on damages just yet.
Fire crews could only find one untouched room in the 1313 Alexis Avenue building. They were able to remove pictures and clothes for one family.
“I want to cry now, but I’m not,” said Keisha Jentry.
Jentry is one of the unlucky ones in that building, as all of her belongings were likely destroyed. But she and her three children and their father were able to escape.
“It’s terrifying that’s why I’m still in shock, because everything is gone,” Jentry said. “Everything I worked for.”
A total of 24 apartment units were damaged or destroyed. The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced to help find them a new place to live.
Most are just very grateful that people were only injured in the massive blaze.
“All by the Grace of God, no one died,” Bradley said
