KVUE — University of Texas students were among the dozens of residents displaced by an overnight fire in Austin.
It happened in the 3200 block of Helms Street near Speedway. Just before 2:30 a.m. Monday, firefighters received a call about heavy fire coming out of the doors and windows at Walnut Run, a three-story apartment complex. The fire was under control within about 45 minutes.
Three buildings were evacuated, but residents in two of the buildings were able to return. Firefighters said of the 16 apartments affected, two apartments had heavy fire damage and many more have smoke and water damage. Everyone was evacuated safely and there were no injuries.
"You see this happening all the time in the movies, but when you're actually in it, it's like, 'What do I do?' "
Residents who could not go back inside were taking shelter in a Capital Metro bus. One of the residents, a UT student who just moved into the apartment complex on Sunday, said she thought the fire started in the apartment next door.
"I jumped up, not thinking anything. You see this happening all the time in the movies, but when you're actually in it, it's like, 'What do I do?' What do you grab, what do you need, what's a necessity?' " Amber Perez said. "It's really overwhelming. I can still feel my heart beating really fast."
Perez and her roommate, Candace McKinney, ran through the halls, banging on doors and waking people up. McKinney's mom and dad were staying the night in her apartment. She said their visit forced her to sleep near a window, and that may have saved her life.
Dozens have been displaced after a campus-area apartment fire.
