SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Three people were rescued off their balconies, including a person in a wheelchair, after a massive fire broke out at a Sandy Springs apartment complex Wednesday.
The police department said the fire was at the Azalea Park apartment complex on Cedar Run. Flames engulfed Building 19 just before noon, which houses 24 units, according to officials.
Sandy Springs Fire Department Officer Christopher Seay said crews arrived and rushed to get residents to safety.
“They actually came to the complex first, started knocking on doors, getting everyone out," Seay said. "That’s when they say there were people that could not get out.”
Though crews are unsure how many people were home at the time, officials said three people were rescued from balconies. Two residents had to escape the flames from the third floor, one of them was dangling from the second floor when two people came to her aid.
Briana Stowe was one of the people rescued and said she was napping with her partner when the fire broke out.
"We were asleep and we smelt smoke," Stowe said, "and there was smoke everywhere, fire everywhere, roof caving in."
The pair said they had to climb down the side of the building in hopes of making it to safety.
"He made it down first; I was dangling off the building. I tried to jump, I made it to the second level and then I had to climb down. They caught my leg and then they pulled me down," Stowe said.
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Photos: Fire burns through Sandy Springs apartment complex
Stowe, grateful that she's safe, said she moved from Raleigh nine months ago. Now she's trying to figure out where she can stay.
"I'm honestly just still in shock, trying to figure out what's going on, what to do next," she said. "All my stuff is still in there."
Despite the massive flames, officials said no residents were hurt nor were any firefighters.
"It’s an incredible blessing," Seay said about the rescues.
Seay said crews continue to battle the flames. He is monitoring firefighters and cycling them in and out due to the intense heat Wednesday.
The Red Cross will be helping displaced residents in the meantime. The organization said it is assisting 13 families, a total of 27 people.
"As we head to the evening that number is expected to increase, but not by much," Red Cross officials said in a statement.
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