Dozens of San Antonio firefighters spent Monday afternoon battling a 2-alarm fire at a southeast side townhome complex.
The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. at the Lasses Townhomes in the 2800 block of Lasses Boulevard.
A woman who lives in one of the units said she had requested a maintenance worker come look at her malfunctioning heater.
"They lit the pilot, it came on, (and) everything was OK, and then I saw smoke coming out," said Stephanie Rosado, who lives in one of the townhomes.
She said she called 911 and fled with her 8-month-old baby. She was able to alert nearby residents, who notified all the other residents in their building and evacuated them.
A short time later, roaring flames and billowing smoke had consumed the roof of the unit.
"Right now, the fire is under investigation. We're working on the hot spots, trying to make sure we can get these people in a warm place tonight and protect their belongings," said San Antonio fire Chief Charles Hood.
Hood said eight units were affected by the fire and at least eight adults and four kids were left without homes Monday night.
He said the Red Cross and the fire department are working together to provide them with a warm place to shelter.
A man who lives across the street said Monday's fire is the third fire in six months at those townhomes.