Helm Lane Apartment Fire
Displaces Over 40 People, Sunday Afternoon

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

The Helm Lane Apartments was the scene of a multi-alarm fire, on Sunday afternoon, that had already destroyed 16 units and firemen were battling the blaze, as they attempted to prevent the fire from spreading to additional units. Other units were suffering smoke and water damages and the fire was still not under control at 5:30 p.m. Units from Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Brinker, and other volunteer units had responded to the large fire, that caused traffic to be re-routed along Interstate-30, due to smoke and holiday traffic.

 

 

The Red Cross was setting up a shelter at the Church of the Nazarene to house the 40 plus victims that would be left homeless from the blaze and destruction. "We're initially preparing for 30 people but that number may grow, as the fire continues," expressed Dawn Morgan, with the Red Cross. "We really haven't got a true count of how many people have been displaced and will be needing assistance!"

 

 

 

 

To make donations to the Red Cross and to aid the victims of the fire, you may call (903)335-2187.

 

County Judge Chris Brown and other volunteers were setting up the Red Cross Shelter at the Nazarene Church
to house the victims of the Sunday afternoon fire.

 

"We only got out with our baby and the dog!" advised one young couple, who have a month old baby. "They just came and told us to the building next to ours was on fire and to evacuate, and we didn't have time to get anything. Then, we stood and watched as the fire spread to our unit and we watched it burn!"

 

Intense smoke, fueled by a south wind was blowing the smoke across Interstate-30, as travelers returning home from a busy holiday weekend were using the route. Several motorist were re-routed to service roads, in an attempt to keep visibility safe and to prevent wrecks along the busy interstate.

 

 

 

Additional photos of the fire:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______