Video: Firefighters battle two 5-alarm fires in Dallas

Firefighters were confronted by two five-alarm fires, which were just three miles apart, at the same time Wednesday night

January 23, 2014 02:34 AM

The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — Dallas firefighters tried to control a fire Wednesday at a mostly vacant apartment complex in the 9400 block of Timberleaf Drive.

Residents Agustina Ponpozo, left, and Omar Galindo watch as Dallas Fire-Rescue responds to a five alarm fire on Shady Brook Lane, near the intersection of Park Lane on January 22, 2014 in Dallas.

Dallas Fire-Rescue members were confronted by two five-alarm fires at the same time Wednesday night. About 200 firefighters battled the fires, which were just three miles apart.

Department spokesman Jason Evans said that in his 13 years with the department he couldn’t remember another day with two five-alarm fires. He said the department had enough manpower to fight the blazes.

One firefighter was taken to a hospital for minor burns in the first fire, a raging blaze that burned for hours at a nearly vacant Lake Highlands apartment building.

Nearly 100 firefighters battled that fire, which began at 6:10 p.m. in the 9400 block of Timberleaf Drive near Abrams Road and Forest Lane, Evans said. Flames were shooting from the two-story building when firefighters arrived, he said.

The only occupant was safe, and firefighters rescued a dog soon after arriving. A cause has not been determined.

Neighbors across the street were hosing down their lawns and roofs to combat embers that had blown across in high winds. Some were grabbing their pets and fleeing.

“It’s a horrifying experience,” said Zante Garcia. “I want us to be safe, but I don’t want to leave my home.”

The second fire, which the department responded to at 8:18 p.m., was at the Urbano at Midtown apartments in northeast Dallas, in the 6800 block of Shady Brook Lane near Park Lane.

Evans said the fire started in a first-floor bathroom and spread through walls to the roof. The fire was being investigated as accidental, he said. About 100 firefighters were on the scene late Wednesday.

Residents in 24 units were displaced. Apartment managers said there were enough vacant units to accommodate residents, and the American Red Cross was headed to the scene to provide food and clothing.