"Grab the kids and get out:" 16 units uninhabitable after apartment fire in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
DODGE COUNTY -- Sixteen units are uninhabitable after an overnight fire at a Beaver Dam apartment building on Lakecrest Drive forced some residents to jump to safety Tuesday morning, April 11th.
FOX6 News found busted windows and charred walls at the scene on Tuesday afternoon.
"We couldn't do nothing but grab the kids and get out of there because the smoke filled the building so fast. We had to crawl up out of the building because it was just that thick," said Shuna Mayweathers.
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
Shortly after midnight, flames broke out in a kitchen on the second floor of the apartment building -- forcing some people to jump to safety before emergency responders could arrive.
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
"I had my cousin down below and she was like, 'I got you Sabrina. Go.' And I'm like, 'I'm scared.' And I just slid down and then I jumped," said Sabrina Benson.
It was the second time Benson has been displaced as a result of a fire. She recently moved into the building after "Building 104" burned.
"Considering I was just in the last fire 38 days ago, it was pretty freaky. I'm still panicking a bit," said Benson.
The Beaver Dam fire chief said crews made several rescues before quickly putting out the flames.
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
"We treated 15 people on the scene, including one firefighter for a dog bite and seven people were transported to Beaver Dam Community Hospital for treatment," said Beaver Dam Fire Chief Alan Mannel.
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
While no one was seriously injured, all 16 units are uninhabitable after this fire, leaving dozens scrambling to find temporary shelter.
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
"I'm thankful for my neighbors that everybody came together and was trying to help each other -- but where do we go from here?" Mayweathers said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Beaver Dam Police and Fire Departments. There is no damage estimate yet.
The fire was confined to one apartment, however, there was a considerable amount of smoke damage throughout the building.
Beaver Dam Lakecrest Drive apartment complex fire
The Red Cross is tending to the needs of those displaced.