Apartments destroyed by fire torn down in Green Island

Crews are cleaning up what’s left of an apartment building at the River’s Edge Apartment Complex. It will take about three days to get it cleared.

The fire started around noon Thursday, sending smoke high in the sky that could be seen for miles.

Investigators are zeroing in on a cause, as NewsChannel 13 is learning more from people who lived in that apartment complex.

"It was devastating. It was very clear from the onset of the fire that they were going to lose everything," Brittany Zellman said.

Zellman and her partner, Oscar Alvarez live across the street from the building that burst into flames at the River’s Edge Apartment complex.

As they watch crews clear the place, they want to know how this happened.

"This is a matter of our safety. We want to know that we are going to be staying here. We just signed a new lease. We want to know that we’re not at risk of the same thing happening to us." Alvarez said.

"Until we know what happened, it’s going to be a concern. There is always anxiety. We’ve spoken to a few of the neighbors that feel the same way," Zellman said.

Green Island police say the fire took out one of the buildings with about apartments. About 18 people are displaced.

Red Cross is assisting those people with housing.

Sergeant Matt Montanino said the cause of the fire is unknown right now.

"Everything is being looked at. A couple of people have made mention of things but until we really know for sure, we could not make a comment on that," he said. "At this time there does not appear to be suspicious foul play."

Zellman and Alvarez said the River’s Edge management had a meeting with the residents.

"They will communicate with us when they know more, but they don’t have any answers at this point," Zellman said.

The management team told NewsChannel 13 that they do not have any comment at this time.