Dozens of families were forced from their homes early Wednesday morning when a fire swept through a Lithonia-area apartment building.
About 75 people from 26 families were displaced as a result of the blaze at the Retreat at Stonecrest complex on Amanda Drive, according to the Red Cross of Georgia.
DeKalb County fire Assistant Chief Christopher Morrison told Channel 2 Action News the fire broke out about 1:30 a.m. When crews arrived, they found heavy flames at the back of the building near the top level.
A second crew was called in while the first worked to evacuate the building, but Morrison said the fire was contained before backup was needed.
Firefighters went door to door under the assumption that everyone was home under the state order to shelter in place.
“We knew that kids were out of school, (and) there are some people not working right now,” Morrison told the news station from the scene. No one was injured, he said.
The heaviest damage was contained to the unit where the fire started, Channel 2 reported. The other units were damaged by smoke and water.
The Red Cross met with the displaced families to provide lodging, food, clothing, health items and emotional support.
“Caseworkers will continue to help these affected families get back on their feet through outreach and referrals to community resources,” the agency said in a statement.
Wednesday’s blaze came days after a fire at another DeKalb apartment displaced 75 people from 23 families.
MORE: 23 families displaced after fire sweeps through DeKalb apartment building
The cause of Saturday’s fire at the Belle Vista Apartments on Camelia Lane in Lithonia remains under investigation.
This story was first reported by Channel 2 Action News.
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