Cinnamon Ridge Apt. residents deal with fire aftermath

Updated Friday 9:40 p.m.

Investigators say the fire started in an electrical outlet in the wall between two apartments. Officials say two people in one of the apartments woke up around 8:30 a.m. and smelled something burning. They went downstairs and saw flames coming through a small hole in the wall. They called 911.

Two apartments have extensive fire damage. Two others have some fire damage. The other four suffered smoke and water damage. In addition, the attic over four of the apartments have heavy fire damage.

Seven of the eight apartments that are impacted were being leased. Those who were displaced from those apartments are working with the Red Cross for help. Cinnamon Ridge Management is working to find vacant apartments in the complex where they can stay.

Investigators do not have damage estimates at this time. Repairs are expected to take months to complete.

The one firefighter who was minorly hurt was treated and released.

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ROANOKE - Residents of Cinnamon Ridge Apartments in Roanoke County are figuring out the next step after a fire destroyed a number of units in the complex.

"As soon as I woke up I smelled smoke," said Sherry Lamb, who lives in one of the apartments at Cinnamon Ridge that were damaged by fire Friday morning. She and her fiance, Brad, were asleep when it started. "I woke to the smell of burning plastic and went downstairs and saw where the pipes went through the wall there was a glow," said Brad Hopkins

At about that same time, Joyce Goodwin realized the building was on fire and she ran to make sure everyone got outside. "I took off running and ran into the office and yelled that the building was on fire. We took off outside and I started beating on doors to make sure everyone got out."

Fire crews say this was a tough fire because of the way it spread. "The fire started getting into the attic and we were concerned of it running the entire length of the building," said Roanoke County Battalion Chief Darryel Sexton.

Firefighters took down ceilings and broke windows for ventilation. They also offered some help to Sherry and Brad who ran out in nothing more than coats and pajamas .

"Somebody from the fire department gave us shoes," said Sherry.

The apartment complex and the Red Cross are working together to figure out how to help the people who lost their apartments. In the meantime, the residents say they're just glad they made it out safely.

"They are all going to be taken care of for sure," said Goodwin.

Investigators believe the cause of the fire was electrical.