White Settlement Apartment Fire Displaces 49

White Settlement fire officials said 49 people were displaced by a fire Sunday night after a fire broke out inside an apartment at The Legacy near Lockheed Martin.

Neighbors told NBC 5 they believe the fire was started by a child playing in a bedroom, but White Settlement Fire Chief Brian Thompson said the cause was not immediately apparent.

Thompson added Sunday’s winds complicated the fight by first responders, adding that once the flames spread the fire grew out of control.

“They thought they were getting it under control but then it got in the attic and started running the attic,” Thompson said.

Chief Thompson said because of the 90-degree heat, one first responder was treated for heat-related exhaustion and dehydration, but will be fine.

However, once the fire reached the apartment attic, neighbors like the Wright family said they escaped with the shirts on their backs and a few precious pictures. Kari Ann Wright and her husband James said their children are staying with family, but they, the adults, have nowhere to go.

"I didn't grab anything," Wright said. "I had my phone in my hand as I was calling 911 as I was running out."

The American Red Cross arrived Sunday night and will be helping those displaced by the fire get back on their feet.

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