Two die in apartment fire on 76th Drive

Deputy Fire Chief Craig Duke said the two victims included a child between 3 and 5 years old, and the child's caregiver, who was probably in her 30s.

Other residents of the Legend Oaks Apartment building were standing around in the parking lot in the 29-degree weather, and they were being assisted by the Red Cross this morning.

Jimmy Rodriguez, a resident who lived on the top floor of the apartment building that burned, said the entire area was unlivable.

Duke said when firefighters arrived 4 minutes after the call around 6 a.m., they saw heavy fire coming from the rear of the second floor. There were 12 units in the apartment building, and residents were evacuating the building, he said. One resident banged on the doors, waking up the other residents, he added.

The fire originated in an apartment on the top floor to the west side of the building. Duke said firefighters knocked down the fire. Firefighters found a child 3 to 5 years old who was taken to a hospital, where she died, he said.

A woman caregiver in her 30s had already succumbed, Duke said.

Duke said the fire is under investigation by the fire and police departments.

The building has extensive damage, he said, and the entire top floor is unlivable. The Red Cross was assisting about 26 displaced people who were gathered outside at the parking lot.

The Red Cross is helping with emergency needs such as lodging, food and new clothing after the fire, according to Jaime Dierking, Red Cross public information officer. Caseworkers will continue to work with people affected by the fire in the coming days to identify other assistance that can be provided. The Red Cross also will be available to provide assistance to the families of the victims who died in the fire, the spokesman said.