"It's unbelievable:" Complex fire in Oak Creek destroys several units

OAK CREEK -- Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of an overnight fire Saturday, October 17th. The blaze destroyed not one, but twelve units within one condo complex on W. Aspen Drive in Oak Creek.

Oak Creek fire

The displaced residents watched in sadness of what's left behind from the massive overnight fire.

"It's unbelievable," said Jean Baldwin, son's house destroyed in fire.

Baldwin received a frantic call at 4:30 Saturday morning. She and her husband couldn't believe what they saw when they arrived.

Oak Creek fire

"Coming to see it, you think it's not, you know, you don't expect it to look quite as bad," said Baldwin.

Everything is gone.

"I know I started crying. You just don't expect the whole roof to be gone," Baldwin said.

Oak Creek fire

The good news, Baldwin's son and the other residents made it out alive.

Several engine crews from Oak Creek, Caledonia, Wauwatosa and Franklin assisted in the fight.

"Upon arrival, the first engine company had flames through the roof on about half the building so it was pretty good. And the design of these are truss-type building fires, so things can escalate pretty quickly," said Chief Tom Rosandich, Oak Creek Fire Department.

Chuck Gagliano's apartment was one of the twelve -- he was awake at 3:30 a.m., getting his wife ready for a doctors appointment.

"We smelled smoke but I thought it was just my imagination but then all of a sudden it got so bad I had to get her out. I couldn't hardly breath," said Gagliano.

Gagliano says there was no warning.

"The alarms didn't go off. I checked the alarms and no sprinkler system," said Gagliano.

Oak Creek fire

The Red Cross is helping victims with places to stay, food and clothing. If you'd like to help, CLICK HERE.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.