Blaze Damages 24 Apartments In Voorhees

VOORHEES, N.J. - Dozens of people were forced out of their apartments Monday night by a fire that burned right through the roof of their building in Voorhees.

Many of the residents were just grateful they got out safely, Fox 29's Sean Tobin reported.

According to fire officials, a total of 24 units were damaged by smoke, water or flames, and about 15 people were in an emergency shelter at least for Monday night.

Firefighters said that as bad as it looked it could have been a whole lot worse.

Flames tore through the building at the Echelon Glen Apartments complex around 6 p.m.

Averyel Sawyer said he was in his apartment when he first smelled it.

"Smelled smoke, grabbed a coat, grabbed some shoes, no socks, and ran out," Sawyer said.

He was able to get out but said, being a computer teacher in Southwest Philadelphia, he may have left behind digital storage with students' grades on it: "I think, I thought I had a USB stick. It's inside."

Firefighters were able to get inside fast, but not until the flames spread to several third-floor units.

"It could have been extremely – a lot worse," Voorhees Fire Dept. Chief James Pacifico Jr. said.

While some residents waited near the perimeter of the fire scene for any updates, a nearby bus helped to keep others warm and get them to shelter for at least one night.

The fire moved so fast that one elderly tenant ran out but left his medications behind. That man said he was grateful for one firefighter who got him back inside safely to get the meds.

"So I went in with a fireman, and I knew just where the medication was. I packed it, and I had a suitcase pretty well ready. I threw it in that," displaced resident Warren Bonin said.

Pacifico said there was no early indication of what caused the fire, but the investigation will continue as authorities get inside the building Monday night and Tuesday.