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OGDEN -- Three families in Ogden lost everything in an apartment fire overnight.
The fire swept through the building, located on the 300 block of 28th Street, and destroyed everything in its path, including three units. Everyone inside made it out safely, but their belongings are all gone.
It's too much for Dustin Ellsworth to take in. The apartment he shared with his wife and two small children, along with everything in it, was destroyed.
I was actually hoping we could have saved some things, but it doesn't look like we're going to be able to, so I'll just take what's left and try to start over I guess.
–Dustin Ellsworth
"Everything they have is in there -- their clothes, their toys, everything," Ellsworth said. "It's just hard."
Crews say the fire started around 2 a.m. Sunday, possibly in the attic of one of the units. Ellsworth says his wife heard something outside and woke him up.
"I came out here and this whole top part was engulfed in flames," he said. "I went back inside, got my kids, wrapped them in a blanket, got her out and got out."
The family had lived in the apartment for about four months. They were just getting back on their feet after they were both laid off from their jobs around Christmas.
In the wake of the tragedy, neighbors are pitching in to help.
"I told my friend Dustin that I would get together my kids' old clothes, help him out anyway I can," said Samantha Perry.
Ellsworth says he'll just have to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
"I was hoping it wouldn't be as bad as it is," he said. "I was actually hoping we could have saved some things, but it doesn't look like we're going to be able to, so I'll just take what's left and try to start over I guess."
The fire displaced six adults and three children. The Red Cross is providing the families with food, clothing and hotel rooms for the next few days.
"They're really great neighbors and they're really good people," said Perry. "They really didn't deserve to start out the New Year like this."
Crews say an electrical problem may be to blame. The fire caused $250,000 in damage.
Sharlain Morse, Ellsworth's grandmother, is acting as the contact person for those interested in helping the family. *Her e-mail address is sharlain.morse@comcast.net.
E-mail: aforester@ksl.com
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