Residents looking for answers on where to live after apartment blaze
UPDATE: Mishawaka Fire Department Assistant Chief of Administration David Ray says the cause of the fire is still under investigation and that local fire marshals are being assisted by the State Fire Marshals office.
The official reports is that 34 people were displaced from 22 apartments, and no reports of injury.
ORIGINAL: MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- An apartment blaze late last night left a few dozen astray from their homes.
Several people were displaced by this fire, and we spoke to a couple of them. Brent Kyle and Darius Wine are roommates here and they said they were totally caught by surprise.
“So, I was in the shower. I heard a giant crash of lightning. I didn’t think anything of it because you know it’s a storm and you know two minutes later; he comes pounding on the door." said Kyle, who was displaced by the fire.
"Brent the apartment is on fire. It’s not it was just a storm and then I look out and it’s on fire,” he continued.
The call came in just before 11 p.m. Tuesday night with someone reporting a big fire at the Autumn Lakes Apartments and Townhomes.
Originally the roommates thought they would be able to go home.
“At first our apartment might be safe, no, and it spread on both sides. And if you look at it, our apartment was the one burnt the most,” Kyle said.
Fire fighters have been trying to figure out the cause, but some residents suspect it was a lightning strike since it all started during Tuesday night's storms. The red-cross has been assisting those affected.
“We were here about 12:30 am with comfort kits and blankets and then talking to folks about what were their overnight arrangements. Did they and were their immediate needs taken care of?” said Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross Brent Smart.
The Red Cross is working with the complex, residents, and the city to help individual families and residents.
As for Kyle and Wine, they're grateful for their village.
“Not everyone is as fortunate as we were up to this point knowing that we have family to rely on and friends to rely on,” said Wine.
Despite people to lean on, they know they have a tough road ahead.
“Need to be able to figure out what my day to day is going to look like. How am i getting back and forth to work? From where am I getting to and from work?" Wine continued. "Like how. All the logistical things that everyone takes for granted that you have to rework in your own life,” he finished
They tell me Autumn Lakes offered another unit for the two, but they're missing more than a roof over their heads.
“For both of us it was kind of a well if we moved into another apartment, it would be completely empty. Don’t have anything to put in there,” Kyle stated.
Mishawaka fire says all residents were evacuated safely and nine pets were removed from the building, but one still is missing.
Anyone wishing to help can contact the local Red Cross.