Cockeysville Fire Displaces 10 Families
COCKEYSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- Ten families are homeless after a two-alarm fire tore through their Cockeysville condominiums.
Andrea Fujii reports everyone made it out safely thanks in part to a firefighter who just happens to live next door.
The fire started after 5 a.m. Monday at the Warren Lodge Condominiums.
Strong winds spread the flames and firefighters think it started in a lower unit, but it was through the top of the building when they arrived on the scene.
"The whole roof was just in flames," said Alex Dandy, resident.
Hour's later crews were still putting out hot spots.
Displaced residents like Barbara Riley ran out with what she could grab.
"Somebody was pounding on my door howling fire, fire," said Riley.
That knock probably came from firefighter Dave Crumbie, who lives in the next building.
His pager went off notifying him of the danger.
"Came out and noticed smoke throughout the area of the building, so I went in started knocking on doors, started to get some more people out," said Crumbie.
"I just went and got my son, and my dog, and this blanket and my shoes and I just ran out of the house," said Riley.
Firefighters say the extreme weather made it difficult to battle.
Temperatures were below freezing, so besides fighting the fire, firefighters also had to put down salt so they didn't slip.
With no injuries reported, most residents say they're just glad everyone is alive.
"It's a very quiet, comfortable, wonderful place. But now I gotta go," said Riley.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
All the residents have insurance.
The Baltimore County Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross will assist residents with temporary housing.
