FLOWOOD, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Flames rolled through building 37 at Laurel Park Apartments Sunday afternoon, while firefighters brought the blaze under control.
Stunned residents watched as their belongings went up in smoke.
"I came back to find it's actually my apartment building that's on fire. It was the front side that caught on fire. I stay in the back. So, I ran around the back and we didn't hear any smoke alarms or anything go off," said resident Bernard Hightower.
Police and nearby residents helped get people out of the eight units in the building. Witnesses say they heard a boom, then saw smoke and flames coming from the attic. However, some victims were hoping the complex could be saved.
"I felt like they were moving slowly. They weren't moving urgently," Hightower added.
"My guys started coming up the outside to try and attack the fire and they had to back out, it was too heavy. So they came around, changed directions and started attacking it from the back. We sent some guys in, had a little bit of structural collapse," said Lt. Brian Grantham, Flowood Fire Department.
No injures were reported in the blaze.
Once people were out of their apartment, firefighters worked to save as many pets as possible. With fire and water all around it, a cat stood on the roof looking for a way out. Eventually it ran through the flames and smoldering debris, to be rescued by firefighters on the other side of the building. Much to the relief of its owners.
"They're already facing their livelihoods changed immediately. If we can be able to get something like that back for them, that gives them some comfort. It's better than nothing," said Lt. Grantham.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
Courtesy of Lashetta Wilder
Courtesy of Lashetta Wilder
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
