LEON VALLEY – An apartment fire in Leon Valley has left several families without a home and the people who live in that community said they are outraged.
Total chaos erupted at the Vista del Rey Apartments in Leon Valley on Tuesday as flames consumed four apartment units.
Smoke billowing from the complex could be seen from miles away.
“Me and my girlfriend, we were on our way home and we saw the smoke and we were like, that’s really close to where we live,” a resident said.
“We were actually 11 minutes away on the highway coming back when we saw smoke and the closer and closer we were getting, we were seeing that it was like darker and darker,” another resident said.
Leon Valley firefighters were battling the flames, but neighbors said it wasn’t as easy for them to access the burning building as it should have been.
“All the gates are locked -- there’s only two ways in and out. So, like, by the time they got here, like, it’s already halfway under,” a resident said.
Residents said they attempted to put out the fire with a water hose and their own fire extinguishers.
“So, we had to find a water hose there but no water pressure and then we took all these fire extinguishers by six, seven and couldn’t get it. So we, like, we just had to get everybody out,” a resident said.
The fire quickly spread to 12 units in total. Witnesses said property management didn’t allow the Red Cross on scene.
“That’s just shocking. That’s like saying the fire department can’t be here. Like, the Red Cross is here to help people, especially on like tragic events like this,” one resident said.
The fire caused devastation for those directly impacted.
Other tenants that were not affected by the flames said they’re concerned about staying.
“We were supposed to be moving in on the last building, 3906, before this all happened and we was actually scheduled to move in two days from now,” one resident said.
“I don’t really feel safe here and honestly, I really feel like signing a lease with this place was a huge mistake,” a resident said.