SAN ANTONIO -- A raging apartment fire early Tuesday has sent at least one person to the hospital and left several more without a place to call home.
Heavy smoke and fire were showing when San Antonio firefighters said they arrived at the four-unit apartment complex just after 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Charlie Garza, a second-floor resident, said he woke up to a crackling sound. Within minutes, the fire quickly spread around him and smoke filled his apartment.
Garza said he threw his dog from the second window and was then rescued by firefighters. He climbed down their ladders to safety.
"I pushed my dog off the edge. Better hurt than dead," Charlie Garza said with his pup safely secured under his arm. "And then the ladder came up. I climbed down. And that's it."
It took firefighters about 45 minutes to gain control the blaze.
San Antonio fire Battalion Chief Brian Lee said the apartment complex is a total loss and estimated damage around $75,000.
One resident was found on the ground in front of the complex. Firefighters said the victim was taken to Baptist Hospital downtown in unknown condition.
Neighbors were ordered to evacuate their homes and watched as fire crews tamed hot spots.
