Oakland Park apartments condemned after fire

16 units damaged by smoke, water

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – A fire that ripped through more than a dozen units at the Greentree apartment complex in Oakland Park pn Monday morning is now out, but officials said the apartments are condemned, and residents have been unable to go inside to collect their belongings.

No one was injured in the fire, but the damage is obvious and devastating for the residents who were forced to evacuate their homes.

"I couldn't believe it," resident Alice Perez said. "It was, like, so horrible. First it was, like, a little flame and then it just erupted into this inferno."

Just a day after the fire, there is a fence around the block of apartments.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross has stepped in to help the displaced residents. Officials from the organization said they provided shelter, food and clothing to 22 adults and two children.

"We're providing them emergency shelter, food and clothing since they don't have (those) immediate things right now," American Red Cross volunteer Bernadette Jay said.

But with this much damage, the residents are left wondering where they will go from here and how they'll pick up the pieces.

"My co-worker lost everything," Perez said. "It's just sad."

Authorities said 16 units in the two-story building had smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials said it appears to be related to an electrical issue.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.