Dallas -
Another raging apartment fire leaves more families homeless and fire fighters exhausted. Dallas fire crews have been battling blazes for days, one five-alarm fire on Wednesday and another five-alarm on Thursday. Then on Saturday, there was a huge, six alarm blaze, which is a call for even more trucks and manpower.
It happened at the Hearthwood Condominiums along Abrams Road, just North of LBJ Freeway. Fire officials say having three major fires in just a few days is very unusual. They say the flames are spread so quickly, and so out of control because of the dryness and the heat.
Fighting the condo blaze became too dangerous once part of the roof collapsed Saturday afternoon. fire fighters had to pull out and douse the flames from the outside. Then more fire fighting power was brought in, making it a six-alarm. The people who called this 24 unit building home, stood by hopelessly watching, thinking about everything they had which is now gone.
Fire victim Bridget Felix said, "It don't seem real. you see it on the news everyday but it don't seem like..you don't think it could happen to you"
The billowing smoke attracted sight-seers. But some neighbors run to help in anyway they can. Neighbor Mary Chavarria brought fire crews bags of ice. She said, "The firefighters need it because their face is burning, so went and got some right now."
Volunteers running the Salvation Army canteen provide firefighters much needed relief. It's the third time they served water, gatorade, and snacks in four days.
Volunteer Darrell Scott said, "This is very unusual to have this many major fires this close together." Saturday's fire has something in common with the other two major apartment complex fires this week. The dry heat helped the fires spread.
Dallas Fire & Rescue Captain Alan Southard said, "With the heat and everything the alarms go easily a lot higher, because we need relief a lot quicker."
120 fire fighters alternate shifts fighting the blaze. They return here to cool down. Before going back, paramedics check to make sure they're okay.
Captain Southard said, "I'm pretty beat right now. You go in for about the first 10 minutes, that's about all your good for."
This debilitating heat sent two residents to the hospital for heat exhaustion. One firefighter was treated and later released. More residents were treated on the scene.
The bigger the fire, the bigger the problems. The American Red Cross is helping by providing necessities like food, clothing , and shelter.
The Red Cross is helping about 40 people displaced from Hearthwood. It helped another 80 people from this week's two other apartment complex fires.
Meantime, the cause of the Hearthwood Condos fire is under investigation. The 33 News is told that investigators are looking into witness accounts that the fire was caused by kids throwing lit matches down a trash chute.
It happened at the Hearthwood Condominiums along Abrams Road, just North of LBJ Freeway. Fire officials say having three major fires in just a few days is very unusual. They say the flames are spread so quickly, and so out of control because of the dryness and the heat.
Fighting the condo blaze became too dangerous once part of the roof collapsed Saturday afternoon. fire fighters had to pull out and douse the flames from the outside. Then more fire fighting power was brought in, making it a six-alarm. The people who called this 24 unit building home, stood by hopelessly watching, thinking about everything they had which is now gone.
Fire victim Bridget Felix said, "It don't seem real. you see it on the news everyday but it don't seem like..you don't think it could happen to you"
The billowing smoke attracted sight-seers. But some neighbors run to help in anyway they can. Neighbor Mary Chavarria brought fire crews bags of ice. She said, "The firefighters need it because their face is burning, so went and got some right now."
Volunteers running the Salvation Army canteen provide firefighters much needed relief. It's the third time they served water, gatorade, and snacks in four days.
Volunteer Darrell Scott said, "This is very unusual to have this many major fires this close together." Saturday's fire has something in common with the other two major apartment complex fires this week. The dry heat helped the fires spread.
Dallas Fire & Rescue Captain Alan Southard said, "With the heat and everything the alarms go easily a lot higher, because we need relief a lot quicker."
120 fire fighters alternate shifts fighting the blaze. They return here to cool down. Before going back, paramedics check to make sure they're okay.
Captain Southard said, "I'm pretty beat right now. You go in for about the first 10 minutes, that's about all your good for."
This debilitating heat sent two residents to the hospital for heat exhaustion. One firefighter was treated and later released. More residents were treated on the scene.
The bigger the fire, the bigger the problems. The American Red Cross is helping by providing necessities like food, clothing , and shelter.
The Red Cross is helping about 40 people displaced from Hearthwood. It helped another 80 people from this week's two other apartment complex fires.
Meantime, the cause of the Hearthwood Condos fire is under investigation. The 33 News is told that investigators are looking into witness accounts that the fire was caused by kids throwing lit matches down a trash chute.
