Fire officials are investigating a second-alarm apartment fire in Phoenix.
Firefighters were called to "The Standard on 29th" apartment homes near 29th Street and Indian School Road Thursday morning.
Video from the scene showed two firefighters on the roof with a chain saw and another tool. Smoke could be seen coming from the roof and portions of the building's exterior were charred.
"It was black when I walked out of my apartment. I was kinda freaking out man. I just kept breathing and said I'm gonna make it," said resident Darren Rousch.
Phoenix Fire said the fire began on the second floor of the complex and then spread to two other units. They were able to contain the fire to those three units, but they are severely damaged.
ABC15 spoke with one resident who said he had enough time to grab his cat and get out. Another resident thanked the maintenance crew who, she said, began knocking on doors to get everyone out as quickly as possible.
Christine Metheny says she had to leave one of her most cherished possessions behind.
"My grandmother was everything to me and when she passed away that picture is all I have of her and she meant so much to me. That was all I wanted," said Metheny.
Metheny found the picture of her grandmother covered in ash, but otherwise all right.
"I couldn't have been happier. It was the happiest day of my life to see it," said Metheny.
Ashley Taylor wasn't so fortunate. She says everything she owns now fits in the backseat of her car.
"I'm devastated. Everything I own is ruined," said Taylor.
The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Arcadia High School (4703 E. Indian School Road) to assist 80 residents displaced by the fire.
The shelter will offer a place to sleep as well as food. A Red Cross nurse and disaster mental health specialist will also be on scene.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
