A fire at a St. Martinville apartment complex caused three families to lose everything they own, officials say.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at Cypress Garden Apartments, which police called "a large structure fire," on October 8.
Police say three families living at the complex lost everything they own in the fire.
Tammy Lewis, a resident of the complex said she and her grandson worked to wake the families living in the apartments after the fire broke out.
"I woke up my grandson, we came out, I had him wake up the other residents living in the complex. He woke up the lady upstairs, and the other lady with two kids. All three apartments as we came out, it was just smoke," Lewis said.
She says the risk to retrieve her belongings was too dangerous. They are one of the families left with nothing.
"They don't want us to go back in there to see if there is anything we can save," she said.
The city is now working to help those affected, accepting donations for families including Lewis'.
"Chief Martin called me and asked me to make a list of what we lost, and what the other families needed, and that was really nice," Lewis said.
If you would like to help, items can be dropped off at the St. Martinville Police Department (105 New Market Street), St. Martinville City Hall (120 S. New Market Street), and Community First Bank (2300 N. Main Street).
Items being accepted include bedding, furniture, cleaning supplies, towels, and more.
They are also taking donations of clothing. For a full list of needed items and clothing sizes, see the police department's post below.
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