Residents, pets escape DeKalb County apartment fire

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Firefighters saved a number of pets including a puppy and some birds from a burning DeKalb County apartment building.

The flames broke out in the 5300 block of West Mountain Street in Stone Mountain around 12:45 a.m. Monday. When firefighters arrived at the West Gate Manor complex they found flames and smoke shooting from the second floor of building seven.

Neighbors told firefighters that all of the people living in the building evacuated, but some pets remained trapped. The firefighters then went in and saved the birds and puppy named Thanos.

Firefighters managed to put out the blaze despite having a long 500-foot water line run. They say the cause of the blaze still isn't known but it does not appear suspicious.

A total of 14 people from five different families were displaced by the blaze. The Red Cross is assisting the victims.