Fire destroys Clarkston condo building

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Thick black smoke and raging flames, that’s all residents could see as they fled their homes at the Brannon Hill condominiums. FOX 5 News obtained cell video shot by Ali Moalin, a resident who escaped the unit where it’s believed the fire may have started.

“There was a lot of smoke and the fire was just shooting up, so I knew everything was going to be gone,” said Kenyata Smith. “I couldn’t even find the door, there was smoke was everywhere. I jumped from balcony with no shoes.”

DeKalb County Fire Battalion Chief Kenneth McKinney said firefighters on the road spotted smoke billowing from the complex off Memorial College Avenue around 11 a.m. He said within minutes more than two dozen firefighters were tackling the blaze from the ground and from above

“Everyone got out on their own except for two dogs we rescued. We had roof a collapse, walls collapse, a floor collapse. It was just too dangerous for firefighters to enter,” said the Battalion Chief McKinney.

This fire comes just two days after a judge granted DeKalb County permission to tear down dilapidated buildings in this community if property owners don’t respond within 60 days. But firefighters determined the building, located near the back of the complex, could not be salvaged and had to come down immediately. County crews demolished it in an hour, just hours after the fire started. Officials said19 adults, several with children, are looking for a new place to call home the day before Thanksgiving.

“I lost everything, clothes, shoes, there was no time to grab anything. But I've got on my little baby here and that's all that matters,” said Kenyata Smith, who escaped the fire with toddler.

“I don't know whether I will just have to depend on the Lord or someone who finds us worthy to come in and help, but I have my life, so I know I am very blessed,” said Nellie Smith as she stood in front of the rubble of a home she moved into just two weeks ago.

Wednesday evening, the Red Cross of Atlanta, DeKalb County officials and MARTA worked together to relocate the displaced residents to a motel on Lawrenceville Highway.