The Red Cross said it is assisting more than 60 people impacted by a fire that broke out on Sunday morning in Annandale, Virginia.
Firefighters responded to a fire in the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike at about 1:30 a.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said.
The Red Cross described the scene of the fire as a multi-family complex. Fire officials said the blaze started on the third floor, and extended to the attic. Several of the units are now a total loss.
Resident Jorge Colindres said he woke up to the smell of smoke and quickly rushed to wake his family members.
"It wasn't easy; it was a very difficult moment for everyone," he said.
Colindres said he and his family were lucky. The flames were extinguished before his apartment could be damaged, but many others are left picking up what’s left of their homes.
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Chris Johnston, president of Little River Square Condos Association, said many people were in shock having to flee from their homes in the middle of the night.
“I think there were just a lot of traumatized looks on people’s faces, just not knowing what to do. I think there were a lot of people that wanted to go inside during the night, but just were in such a state of shock that the cold didn’t bother them," Johnston said.
The smoke spread into several apartments, and residents had to quickly evacuate.
Johnston said one woman was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, but she has since been released and is doing OK.
The Red Cross is helping those who have been displaced by providing them hotel rooms where they can temporarily stay.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
