WESTLAKE, Ohio — Crews were on scene battling a large fire at the Crossings Village Apartments in Westlake on Friday afternoon.
Westlake police tell 3News that a few of the buildings were evacuated as firefighters worked to put out the flames amid the sweltering heat.
According to Westlake Assistant Fire Chief Mike Freeman, the heat and smoke damage was contained to Building No. 7 in the complex. Some of the floors in the building have been collapsing on each other.
For resident David Rayokaovich, a firefighter showed up just in time as he was trapped in his third-floor apartment.
"If [the firefighter] wasn't doing that flare, it was literally drop off a third-floor balcony — which isn't going to end well for me — or hope for the best," Rayokaovich said. "Clearly, there isn't a best there, so yeah, he's a hero for me."
A spokesperson for the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region tells 3News that they are working to assist the 35 residents that have been displaced from the 22 units inside Building No. 7. The Red Cross also brought water for firefighters and residents.
First responders were notified about the fire at approximately 1:05 p.m. Freeman says officials have been working to rotate crews, including firefighters from other departments, due to the heat.
Freeman wished to thank members of the Westlake Police Department for its assistance in evacuating residents.
We will continue to update this story as more details become available.
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