Video shared with 3NEWS shows a neighbor running from door to door, knocking on apartments and warning others to get out as smoke began filling the building.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — New eyewitness video is shedding light on the moments before a two-alarm apartment fire displaced several families at the Saratoga Cove Apartments on Corpus Christi’s Southside.
The fire broke out Saturday afternoon at the apartment complex near South Staples Street and Wooldridge Road.
Before firefighters arrived, residents sprang into action.
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Video shared with 3NEWS shows a neighbor running from door to door, knocking on apartments and warning others to get out as smoke began filling the building. Moments later, two women can be seen escaping, one carrying a young child and another carrying a cat just before thick smoke began pouring from a second-floor apartment.
Corpus Christi fire crews responded to the two-alarm blaze and were able to stop the fire before it spread to neighboring buildings.
Deputy Chief David Saenz with CCFD said “there was no injuries at all to any civilians or firefighters which we are very fortunate, it could have been a lot worse if it had been in the middle of the night.”
Fire officials said two upstairs apartment units sustained fire damage, while the apartments below suffered smoke and water damage.
One resident whose apartment was damaged shared cellphone video from inside her home, but was still shaken by the experience.
While her unit escaped the main portion of flames, smoke and water left behind extensive damage.
She also said one of the most frightening moments came when she couldn’t find her cat. She later reunited with the pet, providing a small bright spot after an otherwise devastating day. Friends have organized a GoFundMe account to help in her recovery.
The American Red Cross responded to assist families from 8 units who were displaced by the fire.
According to the organization, specially trained disaster volunteers arrived within two hours to begin helping affected residents. Volunteers are conducting damage assessments and providing emergency assistance.
“Immediate needs can be anything from I lost my medication or I lost my eye glasses, or I sleep with a CPAP because of a sleep disorder. It could be any of those things, Red Cross has specialty trained those volunteers to go in and make sure we are meeting those needs,” said Angie Garcia with the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Garcia also said apartment management helped displaced residents with temporary places to stay.
Fire investigators are continuing to work to determine what caused the blaze.
As the investigation continues, fire officials are reminding residents to have an emergency escape plan and, when it is safe to do so, check on neighbors during a fire or other emergency.