More than a dozen displaced after fire destroys apartment building

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Crews battled a massive fire that destroyed an apartment complex in DeKalb County.

Flames ripped through the Chatsworth Apartments near North Peachtree Road and Shallowford Road.

The fire displaces nine families.

Melissa Ramirez and her 5-month-old and 15-month-old babies were among those looking for somewhere to sleep Friday night.

"I have two infants. I can't get their diapers, their wipes or anything so I have to go buy them just for tonight. And I just moved in last night," Ramirez told Channel 2’s Carl Willis.

Neighbor David Cleope shot cellphone video as the flames raged. He said his wife and those who evacuated could only pray.

"The wind hit so fast. As soon as the wind gusts came everything just was in minutes, I knew it was out of control,” Cleope told Willis.

"We were knocking on windows, banging on doors," neighbor Lucy Bartash said.

DeKalb County Fire Capt. Eric Jackson said everyone made it out safely. He said his crew was initially concerned about the fire spreading.

"It didn't light the ground, which we're standing on dry leaves and pine straw, but it didn't light the building, it didn't cause any exposure issues for us."

Ramirez said the Red Cross is helping the families who are now without homes.

"They're going to find us somewhere to sleep tonight because we can't get into the building at all, not even to get clothes," Ramirez said.

The Red Cross said they were assisting a total of 15 people because of the fire.

Cox Media Group