The fire started at a duplex between 22nd and 23rd Streets. The fire department says when they arrived flames were coming out of the roof. Flames also spread to the multi-unit next door. In all, 16 people were inside the buildings, but everyone has been accounted for and there are no injuries.
A man who moved into one of the buildings only six months ago spoke to ABC7.
"I was getting ready in my room, came back out, saw some smoke in my kitchen, went back to the kitchen, realized it wasn't actually the kitchen, it was my roommate's room. I saw a bunch of smoke coming out so I went in because I know he has a cat and I wanted to make sure the cat was OK, but it was super, super smoky in there. I go to the back door, open it up, and then when I turned back around the closet kind of erupts in flames, so I kind of hit the deck got to my feet and ran out, grabbed my bag, called 911, banged on the tenants' [door] underneath us, got them out, and that's it," said resident Darren Clayton.
The American Red Cross is offering tenants hotel vouchers so they have a place to stay for the night. Many people, however, will be staying with friends.
The fire department will be on scene for a while to mop up the situation and investigating the cause.
