Massive fire displaces nearly 20 people in Alabama
As smoke continues to fill the Birmingham sky Friday and crews work to put the fire out, American Red Cross said at least 18 people don't have a home to go back into in the Five Points South neighborhood.
Fire crews started responding to the fire around 5:30 a.m. at a vacant business on 20th Street South. It then spread to two apartment and condominium buildings.
The wood frame building, which had originally been a house, became fully engulfed in intense flames and the roof collapsed.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue officials said the fire spread to brick apartment and condominium buildings on either side. A total of three buildings have been involved.
Watch a timelapse of the fire below.
Within a couple of hours, one of the brick buildings where the fire had spread went back up in flames and became fully engulfed. Later flames spread in the other brick building.
Listen to a fire official below discuss the toxic smoke.
ATF is at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Helping those affected
There were people inside the apartments and condominiums who were evacuated safely when the fire began, according to a fire department official.
There were no reports of any injuries.
A look at the American Red Cross at the scene.
