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Brooke Walker ReportingA fire this morning left a family trapped on their third story balcony. Everyone made it out safely, but there were tense moments.
Fire officials aren't sure what caused the fire. Investigators on the scene this afternoon, trying to figure that out. They do know, however, that it started in a joint stairwell. It became quite a dramatic rescue.
At one point a woman and her five children were trapped on a third floor balcony. Neighbors made a human ladder and were able to shuffle the family down to safety.
The complex was consumed in smoke. Intense flames were seen shooting out of top story windows. We're told a propane tank exploded in one of the units, contributing to the dramatic scene.
The top floor was left completely charred and the bottom and middle floors suffered extreme smoke and water damage.
Sarita Chavez and her brother were home alone in the top floor condo when Sarita thought she smelled burning wood.
Sarita Chavez, Escaped Fire: "I opened the door and saw a bunch of smoke. It was really dark, really thick, I couldn't see."
Those two managed to get out through a stairwell. They heard people yelling for help all the way down.
Overall, Fire Chief Jon Ritchie says it was a day for heroes.
Jon Ritchie, Fire Chief, Roy: "Heroes all the way from the kids who escaped, the neighbors who made a human chain, the police officers who assisted in getting the kids out and evacuated, and the surrounding firefighters who saved the house."
All residents and their pets made it out safely.
Nearby residents had to be evacuated for a short while, but are back home now, other than six families, who are being taken care of by the Red Cross.
But even with that happy ending, there is still plenty of sadness at the Kentwood Condominiums tonight.
Many people escaped with just the clothes they were wearing. Matt and Anna Chase had been married only eight days. They lived on the bottom floor building, right underneath where a fire burned through their upstairs neighbors.
Now, all their belongings are under nearly 3 feet of water, and they don't have renter's insurance.
Matt Chase, Fire Victim: "Couple weeks ago, I bought a brand new washer and dryer. It's in there."
Sherelle Hamblin, Fire Victim: "The whole building is destroyed. Everybody lost everything. It just breaks my heart."
Tayler Hamblin, Fire Victim: "I was terrified. I was scared we would get hurt. I was scared the people would get hurt. I was scared about all the things that would get ruined."
Investigators are still trying to figure out exactly what started this fire.
