Virginia Beach, VA – A devastating apartment fire on Thursday, April 18, left 13 individuals and their pets homeless, forcing them to witness the loss of their belongings in the blaze.

Fire Breaks Out at Legends at the Beach Apartments

The Virginia Beach Fire Department responded to a distress call at the Legends at the Beach apartments, encountering heavy smoke and flames emanating from a second-floor unit. Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately an hour before gaining control over the situation.

Residents Evacuated, No Injuries Reported

Among the affected were 13 residents, six cats, and two dogs, who were fortunately evacuated without any reported injuries. I’Asia Barkley, one of the displaced residents, recounted the harrowing experience, initially mistaking the smell of smoke for a kitchen mishap before realizing the severity of the situation when alerted by a neighbor.

I could tell by the way he was looking at me that it was like a serious fire, Barkley stated, describing the urgency of the moment.

Rapid Response and Community Support

Barkley’s boyfriend, Darien Dickinson, rushed to the scene upon receiving her distress call, witnessing the magnitude of the fire. Despite losing a significant portion of their belongings, including items belonging to Dickinson’s daughter, the couple expressed gratitude for the swift response of emergency services and the solidarity displayed by their neighbors.

It was nice that everyone came together during the fire, Barkley emphasized, highlighting the community’s support during the crisis.

Recovery Efforts and Assistance

In the aftermath of the fire, affected residents are navigating the challenging process of rebuilding their lives. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to aid them during this trying period, offering a platform for individuals to contribute to their recovery efforts.

Stay Updated with WAVY.com

For further updates on the incident and ways to support the impacted individuals, readers are encouraged to visit WAVY.com, providing ongoing coverage of the Virginia Beach apartment fire.

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