Families sift through ashes of destroyed apartments

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Families continue to sift through the ashes after fire crews say a kitchen fire destroyed parts of an apartment building.

According to the American Red Cross, 21 people were affected by last night’s apartment fire at The Glenn Apartments. Investigators said it caused more than $750,000 in damages to the complex and 8 out of the 16 units in the building were a total loss. David Hines with the Wilmington Fire Department said it is likely the other 8 will be too.

Fire crews also said several pets made it out of the fire OK. Dan Ledwich thought he’d lost his dog Nico.

“They said they got some dogs out,” Ledwich said. “I couldn’t find mine anywhere. I was running around looking for him. One came in and told me that they got into the room and he wasn’t breathing or anything. They told me that he died in the fire.”

He says what happened next was a miracle.

“One of the fireman had him like wrapped up in a blanket, and as soon as you know he got some fresh air he hopped up and just started running around again,” Ledwich said.

Today the Red Cross was on the scene with clean up kits and water, trying to help folks stay safe while they salvaged anything they could.

“So we want to make sure they have a roof over their head, a warm pillow under their head, as well as food clothing and all the other essentials that one would need,” James Jarvis said.

Digging through memories is not easy. Melinda Dale was helping her sister pick through what used to be her apartment this afternoon.

“She got a call saying her door was open and they were hosing down her apartment,” Dale said.

Dale says her sister and her 19-month-old niece lost everything days before they were supposed to move.

“All her boxes were packed to move to Tennessee,” Dale said. “On Thursday she was going to move all her stuff out.”

That family has set up a page to help raise money. To donate, click here. To make donations to the Red Cross, click here.