CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 50 firefighters were busy battling a 2-alarm fire at an apartment complex early Monday morning in east Charlotte.
[PHOTOS: 2-alarm apartment fire leaves families displaced]
Fire crews were called around 6 a.m. to the Stone Gate Apartments on Southwood Oaks Lane, off Reddman Road near Albemarle Road.
When they arrived at the scene, firefighters reported seeing heavy flames and smoke coming from one of the buildings, and fire was reported shooting through the roof.
Some neighbors didn't realize they were in danger until good Samaritans rushed in and pounded on their doors.
One woman who lives on the second floor of the 3-story building told Eyewitness News she woke to the blaring sound of the fire alarm and noticed that her patio was on fire. When she reached for the door to get out, it was so hot that it burned her hand.
Her family told Channel 9 that she will need their help more than ever because her husband just died last month.
"She just buried him,” said the woman’s aunt, Clara Oliver. “He had cancer and it's been a month ago and she's still grieving from that.”
Officials said she was taken to the hospital for the burns but that nobody else was hurt. Several families have been displaced though, and the American Red Cross was sent to help.
Officials said the fire was under control around 6:45 a.m. but a cause has not yet been determined.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.
Cox Media Group