Hero runs door-to-door to alert neighbors during raging fire

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Firefighters say around 20 people were displaced after flames tore through a condominium complex in DeKalb County early Monday morning.

The fire was reported on Rue Fontaine in Lithonia around 6 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire on the second floor of the complex.

Channel 2's Audrey Washington spoke to one resident, who said he jumped from a second-story window with his roommate after they encountered smoke in the hallway. Shaquan Alston and the roommate then went door-to-door to make sure their neighbors were safe.

"We started running to everyone else, knocking on their doors just to make sure everybody was safe," Alston told Washington. "I was saying 'come on you guys, get out. There's a fire in our complex.'

When firefighters got to the scene, they saw flames shooting from the second story of the building. Washington learned from officials that firefighters rescued some of the residents who were trapped, but no one suffered any injuries.

Crews were able to get the fire under control but eight units were damaged. Four of the units suffered heavy damage, fire officials said.

25 people, including children, are now homeless. Alston is one of them, but he's just grateful he and his neighbors made it out alive.

“I’m humble. I work. Materials can easily be replaced. I’m not going to worry about the small things," Alston told Washington. "I thank God that he allowed me to have my life.”

The Red Cross is on hand to help displaced families with temporary housing.

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