ABC30 Insiders caught plumes of black smoke and flames spreading through the Maplewood apartment complex as it took more than 50 firefighters to get the blaze under control.
Several families displaced after large apartment fire near Fresno State
Witnesses said it could be seen from miles away.
"We've been able to determine the fire originated in a dumpster," said deputy chief Rich Cabral.
It was a dumpster that sat under a wooden carport structure.
According to investigators, the flames destroyed several vehicles and quickly spread to two adjacent apartment buildings causing $2.5 million in damages.
Fire crews battle large apartment complex fire near Fresno State, several families displaced
"There were 14 units total that were affected by this fire, and eight units are a total loss," Cabral said.
Felicia Valdez had just moved into one of those apartments three weeks prior but was not home at the time of the fire.
She returned Monday to find all of her belongings destroyed.
"I'm like numb...everything we had is gone. I have four kids, and they lost everything. I'm still shaking," Valdez said.
Fire crews battle large apartment complex fire near Fresno State
No one was injured, but the Red Cross says about 15 people are now without a home following the fire, some of the displaced are Fresno State students.
Classes begin this week.
"We're so happy to hear everyone was safe and able to evacuate as soon as possible. But what does that next step look like and sometimes it's the mental health component," said Red Cross representative Nicole Maul. "We have volunteers who are trained in mental health care as well as spiritual care."
Fresno State says the university is prepared to assist any students affected by this fire and help them get through this difficult situation.