PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio — One person is dead and more than 100 people were displaced from their homes after a fire tore through an apartment building in Parma Heights Friday night, authorities have confirmed.
Firefighters responded to the Camelot Apartments in the 12000 block of Huffman Road around 10:30 p.m.
A 75-year-old woman died as result of the fire, according to the Parma Heights Fire Department. She was found inside her fourth-floor apartment. The fire appears to have originated in the woman's unit and spread to others, authorities said.
No other injuries were reported.
Nathan Spears, a resident at the apartment complex said he heard what sounded like an explosion.
“I heard something loud. I wasn't sure if that was an entire explosion or not. But it was it was it was really loud," Spears said. “I had a roommate point out the fire towards the balcony over here. I look up and the whole parking lot is full of just you know crew, fire trucks, policemen and the balcony was completely engulfed."
In total, 70 apartments were damaged by the fire, water or smoke, authorities said. The damage has displaced more than 100 residents.
The Red Cross is assisting the families that were displaced.
Tenant Dario Gomez is one of the people who was displaced by the fire.
“I have one change of clothes. And I'm wearing them and they smell like fire so that's what it is," Gomez said.
Authorities said they are working to determine the cause of the fire.
