HOUSTON – A northwest Houston apartment resident jumped from a second-story balcony and into a neighbor's arms to escape flames that consumed her building Thursday.
Firefighters were called to the Canfield Lakes apartment complex on Northborough Drive and Meadowfern Drive Wednesday at 11 p.m. When they arrived, the building was already consumed by fire and heavy smoke.
Approximately 55 firefighters battled the blaze.
Sonya Adams said, "My neighbors on the right side of me came banging on the door and told me the building was on fire."
As she ran out of the building, she saw flames shooting from the roof.
One woman was trapped by fire and unable to get off her balcony, officials said. Three neighbors rushed to her aid.
"We climbed up there to help her down before the fire could get to her. She was trapped and had nowhere to go," said one of the rescuers, who did not want to be identified.
She eventually jumped into their arms. She was not hurt.
Firefighters said families in six of the units escaped the flames with nothing but the clothes on their back. Their apartments were destroyed.
The American Red Cross said it will hand out vouchers to those in need.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.