Article Courtesy of  Channel 15 NBC

By Cory Pippin

Published June 22, 2019
 

The blaze ripped through the Key Harbour condo complex around 4 a.m. and destroyed nearly every unit on the property, leaving only a few standing. Residents and bystanders rushed door to door to make sure everyone got out. Stephen Lee said somewhere in the middle of the charred rubble is what remains of the condo he and his wife called home. "We watched everything we own burn down. I have a tupperware box. Everything I now own fits inside that box," said Lee. Lee’s family photos and belongings were destroyed in just minutes as flames tore through the Key Harbour condo complex.

"The heat was so bad, and the embers were coming down. Things were starting to fall on the street on fire. So we jumped in my wife's car to bulldoze through whatever was in the street, and to use it as a shield from the heat," Lee said.

Lee and other condo owners in the complex are now beginning the process of contacting their insurance companies while wondering where they'll stay.

"Right now we're trying to locate places for our displaced homeowners because they're going to have to have somewhere to go,” said Bobbi Walker, HOA President for Key Harbour.

Walker’s own condo was among the few damaged, but left standing.

"The only thing that saved everybody's lives was one owner who got up at 3:30 and just happened to look outside and see the flames. He called 911 and went outside and started beating on doors," Walker said.

Walker said there are 11 owners, and 1 current renter at Key Harbour. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

"Things can be replaced, but we're thankful everbody's ok," said Walker.

According to Walker, several pets were killed in the fire.

A number of people from the community have offered up their own homes and condos to give those affected a place to stay for the time being.

The Red Cross is also assisting the fire victims.