Thirty units were damaged in a large fire at an apartment complex in northeast Dallas on Saturday morning, according to Red Cross.
Five were vacant. The Red Cross says it's helping the other 25 families with immediate needs.
The fire is at Villa Vista Apartments located at 11300 Amanda Lane.
It was first reported at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday and quickly became a four-alarm fire. About 100 firefighters responded, according to Dallas Fire Rescue.
DFR Spokesperson Jason Evans says the fire started in a third-floor apartment.
Evans said at least 16 units were damaged in the building where the fire started. He said another more were damaged in an adjacent building.
Margarita Mena saw the flames as she was driving home from her grandson's basketball game.
"When I saw it was ours I said, 'Oh my god, really, start the new years'," Mena said.
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Mena says she lives beneath the apartment where fire started.
In cell phone video recorded by residents, flames could be seen shooting from doors and windows with fury.
While fighting the flames, Evans says firefighters made a mayday distress call when a floor collapsed behind them.
"The thought was that they didn't have any means of escape at that point which was the exact right thing for them to do. But as it turns out they did have an alternate escape route and they were able to get out," Evans said.
Residents told NBC 5 they've been dealing with electrical issues, particulary with the heat.
The complex did not comment.
There were no injuries to any residents or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Red Cross says all 25 families will stay in a sister property next door to Villa Vista Apartments.
