Three alarm apartment fire in East Central Fresno cause ruled accident

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Margarita Lopez said the fire happened on her balcony Thursday afternoon, after her daughter saw flames on their patio. She said she had only seconds to grab her baby grandson and nephew and get out.

"It went up fast-- by the time we realized it was on fire the flames were already coming into the living room."

Lopez said she just moved in to this apartment complex last Friday and in less than a week, lost everything.

"My pictures are gone, my baby's pictures my parent's pictures are all gone, and everything's gone, everything."

Lopez and another resident returned to their burned homes Friday, both said their smoke alarms didn't go off when their units went up in flames.

And before moving in last week, Lopez said her unit passed inspections. Although all she has to wear are the clothes she had on when the fire broke out she remains grateful.

"But I have my family; I have my kids, thank God, thank God for that."

More than 60 firefighters responded to the fire Thursday afternoon, and crews spent hours on scene, eventually ruling out any suspicious activity.

"After talking to our fire investigations unit they deemed it was accidental, it was an electrical problem in the exterior wall of one of the upstairs unit," said Hector Vasquez, PIO.

Firefighters said no one was injured and they were luckily able to save two dogs from one of the units, but did have to pull their guys out at one point because of collapses. Now 32 people are displaced, and Lopez is left wondering where to go from here.

"Just put the piece together, not much, start all over start fresh start new again."

The Red Cross is helping the victims displaced and giving them money for hotels, gas, or food in the meantime.