NORFOLK, Va. — Thick smoke and bright flames covered the sky in West Ghent as firefighters fought a blaze at a 15-unit apartment complex early Monday morning.
Emergency dispatch said Norfolk Fire-Rescue was called just after 4:30 a.m. about a fire in the 900 block of Greenway Court, which is located just two blocks away from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Officials said it was upgraded from a two-alarm to a three-alarm fire around 5:10 a.m. Firefighters used multiple master streams to battle the flames coming from the roof of the apartment building.
Norfolk Battalion Chief Stephanie Ramsey said flames quickly spread to the second and third floor. Crews went through the building to make sure everyone was out.
"They began attacking it from the inside, worked interior for 30 to 40 minutes, and then ended up pulling everybody out because the conditions just got worse and worse," Ramsey said.
They rescued six people from the burning complex; two were trapped inside and four were able to escape off a ladder with assistance from firefighters.
"There was a couple on the third floor on the left side of the building that were still inside," said Michael Osei, an EVMS student who just moved in a few months ago. "Firefighters got to them, thank God."
Firefighters said four of those people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, believed to be from smoke inhalation.
Many residents were in a state of shock watching the fire destroy their building, including Osei.
"Could be worse, could be better. I'm just trying to process it all," he said.
Osei added, "I woke up to the sound of people banging on doors and smelled smoke. I grabbed a shirt, some sandals and walked outside."
According to officials, 14 out of 15 units were being occupied at the time of the incident. The fire caused parts of the building to collapse. The roof also caved in.
"Though it's a very old building, it's taken a real beating," Ramsey said.
Osei is hoping to salvage whatever is left inside.
"I just want to make sure everything is OK," Osei said.
St. Andrews's Episcopal Church in Norfolk said they were offering help to the displaced residents. Those individuals can visit White Hall by walking down Leigh Street and taking a left towards West Princess Anne.
The church said residents can use the restroom, grab a cup of coffee or simply come to have a quiet space to contact people. There will also be food made available for those people.
The West Ghent Civil League has also started a GoFundMe page for the victims of the fire.
Author's Note: The video below is on file from Nov. 25, 2020.