Authorities are still investigating, but whether it was accidental or not, nearly a dozen families are without wheels and not sure if they’ll be replaced. Vikki Vargas reports for the NBC4 News at 5 on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016.
Almost a dozen cars were damaged or destroyed when a carport caught fire in Anaheim early Tuesday morning, authorities said.
Just after 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, Anaheim Fire and Rescue responded to reports that several cars were burning in the carports of the Chateau de Ville apartment complex in the 2000 block of Alameda Avenue, according to Sgt. Daron Wyatt of the Anaheim Police Department.
About 30 firefighters from Anaheim Fire and Rescue, the Fullerton Fire Department, and Orange County Fire Authority battled giant flames emerging from the carport. According to the Anaheim Police Department, the firefighters were able to put out the blaze in about 25 minutes, stopping the fire from spreading to other cars and structures nearby.
"The glass was exploding, on the vehicles, just from the heat I think," said one witness Bill Soliman. "It was pretty intense ... There was a brand new Dodge Charger I think on that side, and now it's pretty much gone."
11 vehicles were significantly damaged or destroyed as the fire ripped through 17 carports at the apartment complex, and caused an estimated amount of $150,000 in damages.
Mailyn Martinez said her 2006 Chrysler Sebring was burnt in the fire.
"So I ran down the stairs and I was like, 'Oh my god that's my car,' and my car was burning..." Martinez said. "It was just on flames and everything was covered, and ... obviously we couldn't come in. It was bad."
Martinez said she has already called her insurance company to see what coverage she needs to replace her car.
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Investigators from Anaheim Fire and Rescue were at the scene Tuesday morning investigating what caused the fire, according to the Anaheim Police Department.
