Fire destroys 8 units at apartment complex near Hoover
HOOVER, Ala. (WBMA) — Eight units were destroyed Monday morning when a fire burned at the Lory apartment complex on Emerald Point Drive near Hoover.
There were no serious injuries, and there were no pets inside any of the damaged units.
"I am thankful to be alive," said Debra Yung, a resident of one of those units.
The fire broke out in an upstairs unit. Smoke quickly filled the buildings as the fire started to spread. Yung was inside her apartment where she lives with her son and had no idea what was going on until an unexpected visitor came by.
"He knocked on my door, he said fire, and helped me out. the smoke was so heavy I couldn't see anything," said Yung.
Yung has trouble walking and said it is a miracle that she was able to make it out of her apartment safely.
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"I got out with the clothes on my back, but I am thankful," she said.
Thankful is the word Allison Haynes is also using when thinking about her guardian angel. Haynes lives in one of the units in the building and said her smoke alarm did not go off. She had no idea of a fire until a little girl around 8 years old showed up at her apartment.
"She said there is a fire in our apartment get out and I said okay so I grabbed what was right in front of me and I didn't think twice," said Haynes.
No one was seriously injured and everyone made it out of the apartments safely.
"I am grateful to God that everyone got out of the building so that is one Christmas miracle right there," said Haynes.
Within 30 minutes, the Rocky Ridge Fire Department, along with Hoover and Vestavia Hills worked to put the fire out. 50 brave men and women, also worked to save Christmas.
"We have been able to coordinate hey if you are in there and see presents, make sure you get them off the floor where all the water is flowing and it is one of the things we are specifically thinking about, making sure we do as much as we can to preserve peoples property including things like Christmas gifts," said Rocky Ridge Fire District Chief Jon Lord.
"I thought about all my grandchildren's Christmas stuff up in there, and they said don't think about it but you cant help but think about it," said Yung.
While a number of people lost everything so close to the holiday, neighbors said they are grateful everyone is okay.
"Think positive, think of hope in a dark situation like that," said Haynes.
The cause of fire is still under investigation.
