3 injured after Douglasville apartment complex catches fire, cause still under investigation

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A Douglas County apartment building was deemed a “total loss” after it was destroyed by a fire Wednesday afternoon.

It happened at the Douglasville Proper Apartments on Chicago Avenue.

Douglas County Fire Chief Miles Allen said they got the call around 2:45 p.m.

“It was blowing through the roof on the second floor. It did travel pretty quick,” Allen said.

The apartment building, which Allen said contained 16 to 18 units, was quickly engulfed in flames, and it took firefighters more than three hours to put out all of the hot spots.

He said two adults and one child had to be taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

“My son said, “It’s a fire. It’s a fire.’ So, I just ran outside to see this, and I saw somebody jump out the window out there and everything,” said India McGhee, who lives at the complex.

Rasheeda Hicks said she and her daughter were unloading groceries when they realized a fire had started in the building.

“First, we made sure everyone was out. Then, we realized that we have nothing to come back to,” Hicks said tearfully. “We are just trying to figure out where to go from here because we’ve never experienced anything like this. Where to start? Who to talk to? Who to call? How to replace birth certificates, medical supplies and baby pictures?”

“It’s really sad to see it like this now,” said Roubens Paul, who grew up in the apartment building.

Paul runs a local nonprofit called For the Kids Georgia, and he said they are going to help assist.

“Imagine being a kid and having to start from ground zero. It’s already hard enough for a lot of these families in the community,” he said.

Paul started an online fundraiser to help.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. Residents said they smelled gas, but Allen said a gas line likely ruptured as they were fighting the fire.

The Red Cross has been called to help displaced residents.

Several people told Atlanta News First that they did not hear any fire alarms or smoke detectors go off. The fire department is also investigating these claims.

Atlanta News First reached out to the leasing office, who said they were “not authorized” to answer our questions and passed them along to property management. We have not yet heard back.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.