By Terry Hillig and Aisha Sultan; Post-Dispatch

St. Louis – A fire that struck an assisted-living complex Saturday morning forced the evacuation of scores of residents, some via ladders provided by firefighters.

None of the residents suffered a serious injury, St. Louis Deputy Fire Chief William Jones said. One firefighter had minor cuts.

The fire started in one of the buildings in Lafayette Town Tiffany Apartments complex at 1410 Ohio Avenue about 11:15 a.m. and quickly spread through the apartments. The complex is two blocks west of Lafayette Park.

Fire Chief Sherman George said he was told that about 60 people lived in the apartments directly damaged by the fire.

Rescue workers helped numerous older adults and disabled residents out of the building. Part of the roof burned to the rafters. Streets in the area were filled with worried neighbors and family members.

Anthony Crayton, 47, of St. Louis, waited in his car a few blocks away from the burning building. He said his mother, Colleen Allen, 67, called him when she heard an explosion in a nearby apartment.

Crayton said the building manager had helped his mother get out of the building. He said he saw three people rescued from the fire being carried away on stretchers.

Eileen Dowles, 56, said she was awakened in her second-floor apartment by the smell of smoke and the sound of smoke alarms. She said she first tried the door of her apartment but was blocked by thick, black smoke. Dowles said she went to a window and was the first resident helped to escape by ladder.

“New Year’s Day is my birthday,” Dowles said. “I’m supposed to be happy. I am happy – I’m still alive. I just hope nobody got hurt.”

Complex resident Debra Gunn, 51, said, “At least we’re not dead. We get another chance. But you’re 51 and not employed, what are you going to do?”

Henry Thomas, 55, also left the building via a ladder.

“Everything I own was in that apartment,” he said.

Red Cross workers provided emergency food and clothing to displaced residents Saturday. Red Cross official Jessica Willingham said the agency was also helping them get needed prescription medication. She said complex managers had promised to find lodging for the fire victims Saturday night.

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