DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — One person is dead following a fire at an apartment complex on Sunday, according to DeKalb County Fire officials.
This happened at the Park Creek Apartments on Bouldercrest Drive.
Firefighters said the building affected was a "total loss." They added that people were seen "jumping on arrival."
The deceased's name is unknown at this time. Fire officials have also not yet given a cause for the fire.
Christy White said she witnessed another escape.
"She jumped from the third-floor balcony," White said. "And, as you can see, it's pretty high."
Phatricia Ellis lives across from the affected building. She said she didn't even realize there was a fire.
"I was out on my patio and all of a sudden I heard this loud pop," Ellis said.
Moments later, Ellis said she noticed flames billowing out.
"I ran very fast -- fast as I could," Ellis said. "I went over there to the apartment, knocking on doors."
For Randy McDowell, it wasn't a knock but the cries of baby Zadarious that warned him and his family just in time.
"I grabbed a few articles of clothing to wrap around our faces," McDowell said. "And when I opened up the front door, it was a lot of black smoke."
He said it's a miracle they made it.
"The steps were melting," McDowell said. "And once we made it out, that's when the whole building engulfed in flames."
McDowell was just visiting, but 24 units were gone in an instant.
"When we came outside, it was just fire everywhere," White said.
Eventually, it started pouring down rain.
While Ellis is OK, and she tried her best to help, she painfully watched someone not make it.
"To see this man's whole body just burnt? You know, his face just burnt off and whatnot -- it was just a horrific sight," Ellis said.
A spokesperson for the DeKalb County Fire Department said four others are recovering from injuries. Their condition is unknown at this time.
Crews worked until well after 6 p.m. clearing up the smoke and bulldozing the building.
"It's devastating -- devastating, to say the least," McDowell said. "There were certain things that money could replace, but there are certain valuables that money cannot replace that I had."
No cause of fire has been released, as this is under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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