Flames broke out at the Woodlake Oaks Apartments on Ella Lee Lane near Gessner just after 5am.
Residents say the fire started on the top floor of the building. Houston firefighters arrived within minutes, tackling the tall flames as the roof caved in. It grew so quickly, crews called in for extra help.
Firefighters tried to salvage what they can as residents watched their possessions turn to ashes.
"I got out the car and I look up and the flames were huge," said one resident.
The ferocious flames poured out of a third story apartment building.
"The whole top of the building was engulfed; everything was big blazes of flames," said one fire victim.
"A lot of people running out crying, a lot of older people and younger people," said resident Faith Ayers. "It was just people screaming pounding on doors," said resident Faith Ayers.
This terrifying fire was too close to home
"There was a lady screaming that there was a fire and I know smoke just started coming into my vents," said Ayers.
That's when she and her neighbors ran out of their burning apartment building, Ayers capturing the flames on cellphone video.
"We just started getting everybody out and next thing you know it went up in flames," she said.
Ayers lived on the top floor and lost everything but ironically says it will be her faith that will get her through this.
"It's old place and it went up pretty fast so I'm thankful that people were knocking on doors, looking for each other and getting everybody out," Ayers said.
There were no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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