The community is coming together to offer assistance as 64 units were affected.
UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas — There has still been no ruling of the cause of a big blaze in Universal City Sunday evening that displaced numerous residents.
A social media post by the city said the fire destroyed 11 units and affected 53 others, quoting Fire Chief Todd Perna as saying “It’s a miracle there were no injuries or fatalities.”
Investigators were on scene at the Falcon Ridge Apartments on East Aviation Blvd most of the day Monday, examining the remains of a charred building with heavy structural damage.
During the 4:35 pm fire, portions of the roof were eaten away by the flames and numerous units had significant smoke and water damage.
Roland Decker said he was home at the time and was alerted to the danger by a neighbor.
“My best friend came running in my front door and he alerted me and told me not to let my kids outside because he said everything was smoking,” Decker said, adding when he went out to see what was going on he was confronted by heavy smoke pouring from the back of the complex.
“We went around to the front and tried to help people get their stuff downstairs to save them from losing everything,” Decker said.
Decker, who said he was trying to keep his three young sons safe, called it traumatizing.
“They were crying and screaming, and they didn’t know what to do,” Decker said, adding, “I’ve never gone through anything like that, and I truly hope not to go through anything like that ever again.”
Even though his building did not burn, he said his family is suffering because the utilities have been turned off and a month’s supply of groceries in the refrigerator have spoiled.
“I get all my food at the end of the month and I just bought all my food and I am losing it all,” Decker said.
“We’re out of power. Out of gas. We can’t have no hot water. Can’t cook nothing. We can’t do anything. We’re stuck without doing anything,” Decker said.
With two full sized dogs, eight puppies and three young sons, Decker said using a nearby shelter is not a good option. He says they’ve been at a local park, staying in their vehicle since they evacuated from the complex. “A shelter is not good for three boys and ten dogs,” Decker said.
Decker said he hopes the fire may lead to better code enforcement in the complex, as he said his family has experienced multiple issues related to alleged violations.
KENS 5 reached out to the Universal City code compliance department to ask about the history of the building but there has been no response yet.
Property managers declined to do an on camera interview, but off camera they said they were relieved that all the people and all the pets in the building made it out safely and that they were pleased that the Fire Marshal’s office was doing a thorough evaluation of the remains of the damaged building.
They also said they were working to place people in available apartments on site and that the local apartment association has promised to help find additional available units for the displaced.
First Baptist Church of Universal City has also offered shelter and is acting as a drop off site for anyone wishing to make donations.
The church has added a new page to their website to help people find any assistance they may need. The number to the church is 210-658-6394.
In addition to cash donations, they are asking for new clothing in all sizes, including children, blankets, pillows, jackets, diapers, baby formula, sippy cups, wipes, water, individually bagged snacks, toiletries, female hygiene products and toys for children.
Vicky Sears came to the church Monday morning to see what kind of help she could find.
Sears, who uses a wheelchair, said she has not been allowed to return to her apartment in the building that burned so she has no idea if she has any property left.
“They won’t let us in,” Sears said, expressing frustration, “Because I have special medicine and I have some that is in the refrigerator and we have no electricity.”
“I don’t know if I should go to the drugstore. I just don’t know what I am going to do,” Sears said.
Sears said she was counting her blessings because she wasn’t home at the time. She says her two small dogs were rescued and she is glad that Peewee and Willie seem no worse for the wear.
Sear said she was grateful that the city’s animal shelter has been taking care of displaced pets for free.
“They are real good to them and they’ve already given them a bath and food,” Sears said.
“We haven’t really been in a fire like this!” Sears exclaimed, adding many of her medical supplies were left behind.
“We don’t know what the next deal will be,” Sears said, adding that the people in the shelter have been exceptionally kind.
In a release posted by city officials to Facebook, they said it may be days before residents will be allowed to gain entry to their damaged units.
They said the fire was difficult to contain because of shared attic space.
The city’s communication division said additional updates will be provided on the city’s Facebook page.