Fire at Regency Park Apartments

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. -- A fire at a Guilderland Apartment Complex off Western Avenue has displaced 13 residents, including several young children.

"A lot of panic, a lot of fire, I thought the whole building was going down," described one resident.

Scorching flames lit up the early morning sky Sunday in Guilderland.

"People were just waking up, getting out of bed, the call came about 3:30 a.m.," explained Westmere Fire Chief Henry Smith.

"Some of the folks that got out of here have no clothing, some have just pajamas they're wearing," said Red Cross volunteer Erik Gebhardt.

"I don't even know if they have their travel documents," the resident said.

The Red Cross said about a dozen residents lost their homes along with mostly everything inside. Gebhardt said they were in a "state of shock, it's hard to lose absolutely everything."

According to the chief, six units were destroyed in the Regency Park apartment complex, but fortunately, the newer buildings came with built in fire protection. 

"What they call it is a firewall, it's a concrete wall to prevent any flames from going to the neighboring apartment," Smith said.

While the firewall didn't completely prevent loss of property, the chief said it likely helped prevent loss of lives. 

"You can always get another apartment complex, you can't get another you," Smith said.

The chief added that no one was injured in the fire, but several people were treated for smoke inhalation.

The Red Cross is helping those displaced.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.