ATLANTA — After a massive blaze started in the rooftop kitchen at Bell Collier Village on Saturday, officials are now saying it will be at least another day before anyone can get into the building to retrieve personal items.
Atlanta Fire and Rescue said firefighters battled the flames at 1950 Howell Mill Road NW, the location of the Bell Collier Village apartment complex.
A letter to the complex's residents stated that access to the building "cannot be granted until it has been confirmed that it is safe to do so."
In an update Sunday night, the apartment complex said that all 256 apartments in the community were affected by fire or water damage.
"Power and water have been shut off by the city and the Fire Department is conducting a thorough investigation. We are working closely with the city and structural engineers to determine the safety of entering apartment homes," the letter from the complex stated.
The complex said it has also set up 24-hour security outside the building and is working with the Atlanta Police Department to ensure it is not accessible.
"Our paramount duty is the safety and security of the entire community, and it could possibly take several weeks before conditions on the property are safe for residents to reenter. We will provide additional updates as soon as they become available," the complex added.
Dominic Fondon and his family live close to where the fire started.
“I grabbed my family and headed out. When I got down here, I saw the whole roof on fire,” Fondon said.
Atlanta Fire and Rescue now says several factors made it difficult to fight this fire.
“It was too dangerous with some collapses that were going on. We do have some collapses from the fire damage and the water damage that was going on," said Jeff Cutrer of Atlanta Fire and Rescue.
According to a statement from the Red Cross, the organization expects to help more than 100 people displaced by the fire.
The Red Cross also announced it is opening a shelter at 6 p.m. at the address below:
1955 Monroe Drive NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
A representative for the complex told residents that a structural engineer would need to inspect the property before anyone is allowed inside.
Some residents are not only out of their homes but can’t get to their cars because the parking garage is underneath the section that sustained the most damage.