Firefighters rescue babies, others in DeKalb County apartment fire

In the frigid dark, five people gathered together on a third-floor balcony as flames quickly engulfed a DeKalb County apartment building. Within seconds of arriving, quick-acting firefighters placed a ladder on the building for the three adults to climb down.

But what about the two babies? Rescuing them would take a leap of faith, along with the heroics of two firefighters.

“Obviously the parents trusted us enough to drop their children to our captains,” Assistant fire Chief Jeff Crump said. “And they made the catch.”

Two babies dropped safely into the arms of two firefighters. Then, it was time to rescue others, including a wheelchair-bound woman who Crump carried to safety.

Firefighters are battling an apartment fire on Pine Tree Circle in DeKalb County.

Twelve people, including four children, were injured in the Wednesday fire, but none of the injuries were believed serious, DeKalb fire Capt. Eric Jackson said. The fire displaced 79 people, and the Red Cross was assisting throughout the day finding temporary accommodations, Red Cross spokeswoman Davina Mims said.

For metro Atlanta firefighters, the scene outside the Avondale Forest Apartments early Wednesday is too familiar this time of year. The cause of the fire that was reported at 5:26 a.m is still unknown, but cold weather fires are sometimes started by space heaters. In a three-week period beginning Dec. 13, flames engulfed seven metro apartment complexes in Clayton, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

“We are definitely in the peak of fire season,” Mims said Wednesday afternoon. “It has been very active for us.”

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The holiday season is typically a busy one for firefighters because many people spend more time in kitchens preparing family meals and use more electrical outlets and candles for decorations, according to metro fire departments. Add in the cold weather, and the use of alternative heating sources like fireplaces and heaters, and the result is more fires, Mims said. Apartment complexes are more vulnerable because residents are in such close proximity and the routes to safety are more difficult.

“When it comes to death and injury, it’s tough because you have multiple levels and floors you have to deal with,” Mims said.

Despite the latest string of metro area apartment fires, the number of fires in Georgia declined sharply in 2017 from the previous year, according to the state’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office. Glenn Allen, spokesman for the commissioner, said there could be a delay for some agencies in reporting data from 2017. But overall, numbers are still down, he said.

In 2016, 11,168 fires — including 2,030 in apartments — killed 123 people and injured 486 others in Georgia. The total number of fires dropped to 6,558 in 2017, including 1,141 apartment blazes, in 2017. Fifty-three people died, including one firefighter, in Georgia fires in 2017. Another 273 people were injured.

Nationwide in 2016, 95,000 fires were reported at U.S. apartment complexes, killing 325 people, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Although the number of deaths from apartment fires is down nationwide during the past 10 years, the number of fires has held steady. The NFPA numbers represent estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments, so fires reported only to federal or state agencies are not included, according to the agency’s website.

From 2013 to 2015, multifamily residential building fires accounted for an annual estimated 109,700 reported fires, according the National Fire Data Center’s report released in June. These fires resulted in an annual average of 405 deaths, 3,975 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property loss.

“When you’re living in an apartment, you know you’re practicing fire safety, but you have to put trust in those that live above, below and on both sides of you,” Gwinnett fire department Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.

Multifamily residential buildings, such as apartments, townhouses and condominiums, usually have stricter building codes than one- and two-family buildings. Many multifamily residential buildings are rental properties, and they are usually required to comply with more stringent fire prevention regulations involving smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.

In Atlanta, inspectors routinely check apartment buildings for safety requirements, especially older complexes, according to Cortez Stafford with the Atlanta fire department.

Smoke alarms will help alert people to fires, but won’t prevent them, he said.

“You have people who use heating appliances, they leave the home or maybe forget. It happens,” Stafford said. “It’s all about being as safe as you can to do everything in your control to prevent a fire.”

Regardless of whether you live in a house, apartment or condo, everyone can take an active role in keeping their home safe, Rutledge said. Make sure exits are clear and not blocked with household items and have an escape plan, he said. It’s also a good idea to know your neighbors and consider a meeting on fire safety led by a local firefighter.

“You’re never too old to learn about fire safety and protecting your family,” Rutledge said.

— Staff writer Lois Norder contributed to this report.

Firefighters rescued several people from a raging apartment fire early Wednesday in DeKalb County, officials said. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

BUILDING FIRE SAFETY TIPS:

• Don't prop open exit or stairway doors. These are installed to slow the spread of heat and smoke if there is a fire.

• Point out damaged or nonworking smoke alarms, fire extinguishers or emergency lights to property managers

• Make sure there is a smoke alarm inside each sleeping room. Batteries should be replaced once a year.

• Know where all the exit doors and stairs are on your floor

• Count the number of doors between your apartment and the nearest fire exit so you can find it in the dark if necessary

IF THERE IS A FIRE:

• Escape the fire before calling 911.

• If your door feels warm to the touch, do not attempt to open it. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher your apartment number and that you can't open your door.