Massive fire displaces 50 at Marietta apartment complex

Fire was rising from the roof of a building at the Park on Windy Hill Apartments when crews arrived at the scene.

Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Fire was rising from the roof of a building at the Park on Windy Hill Apartments when crews arrived at the scene.

Authorities in Cobb County are working to help 50 people who were displaced by a massive fire at a Marietta apartment complex.

Firefighters were called to a burning building at the Park on Windy Hill Apartments shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to Marietta Fire Department Chief Tim Milligan.

When the first crews arrived at the complex on Windy Hill Road, they saw fire rising from the building’s roof. A total of 13 crews from both the Marietta and Cobb fire departments worked to bring the blaze under control, Cobb fire spokesman Stephen Bennett said.

Authorities said 24 units were impacted by the fire.

Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

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Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Residents hurried out of their apartments as the flames consumed the building, according to Channel 2 Action News.

“We literally like just ran outside,” resident Jordica Jordan told the news station, “but we didn’t have on shoes. Like, these are my neighbor’s shoes.”

D’Angelo Ford told Channel 2 he left his apartment without putting his contacts in.

“I had to feel my way,” he said. “Feel the benches. I closed my eyes to feel the benches so I could walk down.”

Crews managed to tamp out the flames, but 24 units were impacted by the fire, Bennett said. No injuries were reported.

The fire then led to a power outage in the complex that impacted 36 units, according to American Red Cross of Georgia spokeswoman Ruby Ramirez. Volunteers are working to aid the affected families, she said.

“Along with emotional support, volunteers are prepared to help with immediate emergency needs for essentials, such as temporary lodging, food, clothing, personal items, and health-related needs,” she said. “Caseworkers will work with the families impacted in the days ahead to help them get back on their feet and begin the recovery process.”

Investigators are still working to determine how the fire started, Milligan said.