Magnolia Way apartment fire in NW Atlanta sends 8 to hospital
Massive apartment fire along Magnolia Way in Atlanta
Fire crews responded early Tuesday morning to an apartment fire at a complex on Magnolia Way in northwest Atlanta, where several residents were forced to evacuate their homes.
ATLANTA - Fire investigators are working to determine what sparked an early morning blaze at a northwest Atlanta apartment complex that sent eight people to the hospital and forced several families from their homes.
What we know:
Medics transported eight people to the hospital, including four children. One adult was treated for burns. Officials said 12 families were impacted, though the exact number of residents displaced is still unclear.
What they're saying:
Ashley Steele, who had been living in the building for just a few months, said she realized quickly she couldn’t escape through the stairwell.
"When I got out here, the roof was already on fire and the flames were already on my third floor steps," Steele said. "I just had to use my survival skills and my instincts had to kick in, I just knew I had to get out of there."
Steele climbed down from her third-floor balcony before first responders arrived, then rushed to help guide firefighters to the scene. Later that morning, she returned to find her unit damaged by water and smoke, but she was able to recover what mattered most.
8 people sent to hospital after fire in NW Atlanta
8 people were transported to a hospital after a fire at an apartment complex early Tuesday morning in NW Atlanta. At least one person was suffering from burns. This is a developing news story.
"The most important thing I was trying to get back was my mother's ashes and I got them," she said.
Another resident, Morgan Stanford, said firefighters reached her balcony just in time. "They came right on time, like it wasn’t that long," Stanford said.
Neighbors described chaotic moments as smoke and flames spread through the complex.
"I tried to open the door, but the flame was coming in, so it pushed me back," one woman told FOX 5. "So I just shut the door and went towards the back of the car and called 911." Firefighters later pulled her to safety using ladders.
By daylight, residents walked through soggy apartments, trying to salvage belongings. "It’s watery, it’s messy, the ceiling looks like it’s going to collapse," said Shelia Bell.
Fire at Magnolia Park Apartments in NW Atlanta
Firefighters are on the scene of a fire at the Magnolia Park Apartments on Paschal Boulevard in NW Atlanta. This is a breaking news story.
What we don't know:
Officials have not released details about the cause of the fire, and the investigation remains ongoing.