MABLETON, Ga. — Cobb County officials say 14 people were displaced without homes on Easter after a townhome fire in Mableton.
It happened at the Upland Townhomes on Mableton Parkway. At this time, there is no word on when the fire exactly broke out. However, officials said the crew on the scene could keep the blaze contained to three units.
Malchi McKenzie was one of the tenants affected by the fire. He said he had plans for the holiday.
"We were supposed to have the money Easter egg hunt," McKenzie said.
Instead, he had to hunt his way through clouds of smoke. McKenzie took a video on his phone showing him and his neighbors rushing out of their homes.
"All I smell is the gas," McKenzie said. "Then, we start hearing... like someone was popping and like the wood and was dropping out. I was like, 'Hurry, let's get up out of here.'"
Firefighters hurried over to extinguish the flames. Luckily, they were only four minutes away. Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Public Information Officer Nicholas Danz said they knew it was serious immediately.
"As soon as they exited the station, they saw a plume of smoke," Danz said.
Officials are investigating the cause.
"We believe [it] to be, possibly, a grease fire, unattended cooking fire," Danz said.
Witness Kerlie Richardson described what the fire looked like.
"The flames were literally licking at the building," Richardson said.
Neighbor Patricia McGowan said firefighters worked to evacuate the building and the others around it.
"A lady just started bamming on my door," McGowan said. "And I heard kids in, like, the distance hollering, 'Fire! Fire!' So, I realized that I really wasn't in a dream. And I was... I was awakened and was told to, 'Come on! Get out!"
McGowan said she's glad she did, as she believes it would have cost her her life if she hadn't responded.
Aftermath of fire at Upland Townhomes in Mableton
Other neighbors from undamaged units told 11Alive that the smell of smoke was so bad that they left.
And McKenzie said his sister's room was in shambles.
"It was terrible," McKenzie said. "Burnt her furniture up."
Construction workers were on-site Sunday, clearing out and boarding the building.
In general, though, McKenzie is counting his blessings this Easter Sunday.
"I'm like, 'So? Don't worry about it," McKenzie said. "Let's just move out and go get us a house. It's a blessing from God."
Right now, the Red Cross is assisting those who have been displaced.
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