HOLLAND (WTOL) - Neighbors are figuring out what to do next and where to go after a massive fire in Springfield Township early Sunday morning.
Nerves are high for those living at the Lake of the Woods Apartments after a terrifying morning fire. An alarm around 1:00 a.m. alerted Liz to call 911.
"I got out and no one was out here yet and so I just called 911,” said Liz Turski, a resident who lost everything in fire. “I was just pacing back and forth like waiting for people to come out."
Eventually all the residents did get out safely, but they then stood outside watching as their homes, and possessions burned.
“You just, you don’t expect it,” said Turski. “You see it, but you never really know until it’s you especially now that like my apartment is the one that has been on fire for most of the night. It’s just outrageous.”
Liz lost nearly everything in the fire, but she wasn’t alone as close to 60 others were displaced by the blaze.
The American Red Cross set up a shelter at Springfield High School to help those who need help, but as of Sunday night no one was staying.
Residents say they were required to have renter’s insurance, but the Red Cross did provide immediate financial assistance to families who needed it. Their pop-up shelter remained open through Sunday night and leaders tell us they will evaluate if it’s still needed in the morning. Red Cross volunteers say they will continue to assist residents who need their help.
"We'll follow up with you and be able to connect you with our community partners in the coming weeks so that we can get you the things that you need,” said Suzie Lowery, American Red Cross logistics lead.
The magnitude of the fire is easy to see in the daylight, neighbors say they were shocked and alarmed when they walked outside to see the damage.
“I came out to go running to the park and I see this and I was like, I don’t know,” said Anita Ortega, a resident of a nearby Lake of the Woods Apartment building. “It was crazy I mean it’s unbelievable. I feel so bad."
”I mean I don’t know what happened,” said Kyla Stover, a resident of a nearby Lake of the Woods Apartment building. I don’t know if anybody knows what happened yet. It’s scary for anybody, I feel bad."
Springfield Township Fire Department continued fire checks at the building Sunday afternoon as the investigation into what started the fire is ongoing.
Neighbors say they are grateful for their safety as they figure out what comes next.
The Red Cross says if there is anyone affected by this fire that needs their help as the week continues should call1-800-RED-CROSS.
At this time they are not taking any physical donations for those impacted, but says those who want to give financially can do so through the general Red Cross disaster relief fund.
