SAN ANTONIO -- Just days before Thanksgiving, at least four families are looking for a new home after a fire ripped through the roof of the De Chantle Apartment Complex on the Northwest side.
One family that lost everything is calling their 18-month-old daughter Chloe a hero. Her mother, Ashley Cruz, says she woke up after Chloe started coughing around 6 a.m. Monday.
The fire started on the same corner as the family's apartment on the 2nd floor. It quickly spread to neighboring units.
"I heard her coughing again. I get up and I end up seeing a whole cloud of smoke, and I see the whole top part of the roof basically engulfed in flames," Cruz said.
The family ran outside as fire crews alerted others to get out. Some tenants were able to grab some warm clothes, but others ran outside in their pajamas. They huddled together in the near freezing temperatures until a VIA bus was brought in so they could get out of the cold.
At least five families were displaced by the fire, which crews contained to one building. The fire department says eight units suffered damages.
"I'm just glad I have my daughter and she's OK. Just gotta start over new," said Cruz, whose apartment was completely destroyed.
By 11 a.m., the American Red Cross met with displaced tenants and began their damage assessments.
"They're looking it over and seeing what the actual damage of the unit is. That's gonna determine the amount of financial assistance they qualify for. They need to make the determination to see if the habitat is livable or not," said Eric Maldonado, Communications Manager of the American Red Cross.
It's still unclear what caused the fire. Deborah Foster with the San Antonio Fire Department says they put in a request to Fire Prevention to see if there were any code violations, such as faulty smoke alarms. At last check, they are still awaiting a response.
In the meantime, families displaced are scrambling for a new place to live, hopefully in time for Thanksgiving.
Any family in need of help from the American Red Cross can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
