Neighbors catch people leaping from building fire

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – An early Thursday morning fire that consumed an eight-unit building was the scene of a stunning rescue as neighbors joined in to help police and firefighters.

Astoundingly, though several families had to jump from second floor units to escape the blaze, there were only three minor injuries, thanks to fast action from neighbors and first responders.

The fire at Avondale Park Apartments near the 41A Bypass, just past AutoZone midway up the steep hill leading to the entrance to the complex, is believed to have started in a ground floor apartment kitchen, possibly from a stove that was being used for additional heat during an intensely cold night or from food left unattended on the stove, according to Clarksville Fire Marshal Ray Williams.

Seven of the eight units were occupied.

'People were jumping'

Williams said Clarksville Fire Rescue received the call at 5:50 a.m.

"When our fire crews arrived," Williams said, "there was heavy flames and smoke coming from Building 'G' of the complex. We were told there were a lot of people still inside, which was anticipated. They (the crews) went into rescue mode. It was pretty dramatic for a little minute here.

"People were jumping from second floor apartments due to flames lapping up from a ground floor apartment that was fully involved."

Four people were rescued. Three were injured and transported to Gateway Medical Center – one for a back injury and two from smoke inhalation.

"Those people are all right," Williams said. "We're really fortunate we didn't have any serious injuries or deaths.

"It hasn't been a good week for us. We have already had one fire death in the city limits this week."

Every person in the building – 18 people in all – had been displaced, and the Red Cross is assisting them. All but one of the families had children.

"Some of them have lost everything," Williams said. "There's children involved, along with adults. Hopefully, the community can help out with clothing and basic necessities."

"I want to commend each and every one of those people who helped out our police and firefighters," Williams added.

'God's got this'

While many neighbors came out to help during the fire, two in particular had life-saving roles.

While their daughter watched, Tracy German and her husband, James, caught two small children thrown down from a second-story window when the fire was at its height.

Tracy said that her window in an apartment across the street was cracked open for air and she initially woke up hearing screaming outside.

"I looked outside and there was a little girl out in the street, crying. The police came, and I woke up my husband and told him, 'There's a fire.'

"We ran straight down (toward the fire). (The authorities) told us people were coming, but if we would have waited on that, people would be dead."

The couple said they saw a woman in an upper floor window holding two small children.

"They were going to stay there," Tracy said, "but I told them, 'No, you need to jump.' They trusted us, thank God, and so she threw the babies.

"I caught one. My husband caught the other one. Then we caught the big lady, bigger than me. ... It was just crazy."

James said the couple was able to break the grown woman's fall, keeping her from hitting her head or getting anything more than a scraped knee. And, he said, there were other heroes as well in the apartment complex.

"It wasn't just us," he said. "Our whole complex pitched in."

Tracy said she also directed firefighters to the back, where they were able to get ladders up for others needing to escape.

"We were just doing what the Lord tells us," said James, "which is help your neighbor.

"We're no heroes. God is the hero."

Bare necessity exit

Danny Ortiz and his pregnant girlfriend were rescued from the fire and had no time to grab clothes.

"My girlfriend and I woke to bashing at the window. A crew of responders were yelling for us, 'Get out, the building is on fire!'" Ortiz said. "My girlfriend is 30 weeks pregnant and we literally just panicked. She threw on a robe and I kept the blanket with us. I was shocked by how it had escalated and the amount of emergency service workers already on the scene. We must have been one of the first out as we were the only people in the ambulance."

Ortiz said they required no medical attention and were placed in an ambulance to stay warm. As the first wave of people came in needing medical attention, they were moved.

"I was relieved to see the landlord Elaina (Vanders Johnson) on the scene so quickly," Ortiz said. "She has always been so caring and supportive of all her tenants. It was just complete peace of mind for my family."

Ortiz called family who came to assist them since they did not have proper clothing for the frigid temperatures.

More help needed

Fay Anderson of American Red Cross said that the displaced persons were brought to the Red Cross to warm up and then given money for food, clothes and basic necessities. They were put up in an area motel.

Red Cross donations are distributed to people as needed. When The Leaf-Chronicle arrived on the scene, Red Cross volunteers were already there helping the families.

Anderson said Johnson told her all families would be re-housed at the complex by mid-week next week.

Johnson said she is doing everything she can to help her tenants.

"It's a double-edged sword. We are so thankful no one was seriously injured," she said. "It's such a blessing, but we also have to remember we have seven families who have been greatly disadvantaged by this, and we need to keep them in our prayers and do all we can to help them out. It's cold outside, and they all have children. It's heartbreaking."

Johnson said a lot of the tenants were on fixed incomes, and there is a need for everything, including clothes, diapers, furniture and electronics.

"Some of these people are on very fixed income, so if people have gift cards, it would be greatly appreciated," Johnson said. "They have lost their food as well."

Johnson praises the quick response and professionalism of Clarksville Fire Rescue and Clarksville Police.

"Our police department and fire department did a phenomenal job," Johnson said. " They were at that building within 10 minutes getting people out of the building. This could have been a huge tragedy, and it was not."

Johnson said every apartment had working smoke detectors, as it is part of her lease agreement to make sure each unit has detectors that are checked a few times a year.

The apartment building has not been condemned, and there may be some things that can be saved.

"They did say there were some salvageable items, and that's a blessing," Johnson said. "They haven't told me whether the building is a total loss or not."

Community generosity is already apparent, as local stores have donated goods to the victims.

Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Susy Martin and Dave Berggren stepped in just hours after the fire. Ashley HomeStore donated new beds to all six children. They will have new beds, new mattresses and new comforter sets.​

Additional donations can be made at 313 Dover Road Suite A or 1351 Avondale Drive. If you have questions about donations, contact Johnson by texting or calling 931-561-3850.

Tavia D. Green contributed to this report.

Philip Grey, 245-0719

Military affairs reporter

philipgrey@theleafchronicle.com

Twitter: @PhilipGrey_Leaf

CLOTHING/SHOE SIZES NEEDED FOR DISPLACED AVONDALE APARTMENTS FAMILIES

Sizes for families are: Family 1: Women jeans size 22-24, women shirt size 2x, shoe size 9, Girl's jeans size 3 jr, shirt medium, size 5 shoe, Women's jeans isze 11-12, large shirt, size 9 shoe.

Family 2: Women jeans 20-22, Shirt 3x, Shoe 7 1/2-8 w, Son 38-30 jeans, extra large shirt, 7-1/2-8 shoe.

Family 3: Women jeans size 22, 2 XLG shirt, 10 Shoe, 1-year-old girl: 12-18 month clothes, 3 shoe size, 4 diapers , 5-year-old boy: size 7-8 jeans, medium shirt, shoe size 1

Family 4: Little girl 4t-5t clothes, 11 shoe.

Family 5: Women Jeans 12, LG shirt and 8 1/2 shoe.