MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — Morningside Apartments caught fire Saturday morning with officials saying the 911 call came in around 9:45 a.m. EST. The complex has 33 units, and all residents must stay elsewhere until officials deem the building safe.
Battalion Chief Shane Kyle said the fire started on one side of the building and then broke through the roof.
"Half of the upper level, probably 10, was damaged and the other side is still intact. The lower level sustained a lot of water damage," he said.
No injuries were reported and responders worked to help those affected. The American Red Cross gave out cards to cover housing for the night.
"We do an interview where we find out if they have any special needs, any medical needs or any emotional needs. And then as a result of that, we're able to offer counseling. So the cards that we're giving them today are for their immediate needs, which is obviously housing and food and clothing," said Larry Nelson, Disaster Program Specialist.
For Richie Barnard and his wife, residents on the upper floor, they're losing their second home in two months.
"We just had lost all of our stuff up at Newport. The flood came through and we didn't think it was going to reach us. We thought we were safe but that water got up so high. It took out our place up there and we just lost everything, our apartment, our car," Barnard said.
He said they had just moved in after not having a place to live for weeks. Now, Barnard said he doesn't know what to do next.
"We don't have next steps. We're hoping my family lets me stay tonight. We're going to be homeless again," he said.