By Sara Beth Williams–
An apartment fire which broke out Sunday morning has displaced multiple families in Citrus Heights, fire officials say.
Sacramento Metro Fire District Captain Mark Nunez said an entire wing in a complex of townhomes was damaged in a second alarm fire that occurred at the Sierra Oaks Apartments located at Auburn Boulevard and Antelope Road in Citrus Heights.
Twelve townhomes were significantly damaged with fire, smoke or water, Nunez said in a press release. All 12 families have been displaced, which amounted to at least 20 people. An exact number of individuals was not available. The American Red Cross will help the displaced families with temporary housing and immediate needs.
The fire began just after 11 a.m. on an outside balcony and crews arrived to find the fire had spread inside the unit of origin.
“Due to the size of the structure and the volume of fire showing on arrival, incident commanders immediately requested a second alarm, bringing in additional personnel and resources to the scene,” Nunez said
Witnesses could see heavy smoke from blocks away. One fire engine could be seen with an extension ladder leading to the roof of the building. Adjacent lanes to the complex on northbound Auburn Boulevard and eastbound Antelope Road were blocked off by emergency crews for at least two hours Sunday morning.
One local resident who lived very close by but was not impacted by the fire, thanked the firefighters for their quick response time. Nunez credited the safety of occupants to the help of neighbors who went door-to-door to alert those in the line of danger due to the spreading fire and help them evacuate.
All occupants were able to safely evacuate and there are no injuries to occupants or firefighters reported, Nunez said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
