SAN ANTONIO – A family was displaced from their home following a two-alarm fire overnight, fire officials said Thursday.
The fire was reported just before 1 a.m. in the 12600 block of Uhr Lane, found near Bulverde Road and Thousand Oaks on the city's Northeast Side.
Officials said firefighters responded to a call for a structure fire at the Avistar at the Crest Apartments and had to rescue a family of three from their balcony.
A witness at the scene said a man first tossed a baby down to firefighters before jumping from the top unit's balcony. A family dog however died as a result of the flames.
"The family reports that they smelled smoke earlier in the evening, tried to get out of the house, but the fire was blocking the front door," San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said. "Very heroic actions by the firefighters this evening to rescue a family of three off of a balcony. So they are fine. We went and got the baby some baby food and a bottle."
Twelve units of the apartment building were affected. Residents who evacuated from the building now have water damage in their apartments.
"(It) just went up really fast. Within, like, five minutes it was completely (engulfed). The whole apartment was in flames," said Jamie Hopkins, a resident who evacuated.
"I just couldn't believe it, you know. (I) just got off work, I'm relaxing, and next thing you know, the apartment is engulfed," said Darnell Grant, who also evacuated.
The fire could be seen as far away as Perrin Beitel Road. Red Cross is now assisting the displaced family.
The cause of the fire is not known and arson has been called in to investigate.