No injuries after fire guts apartments on Lake Norman

CORNELIUS, N.C. — The American Red Cross is helping 20 people who were displaced by a fire Wednesday afternoon at the Bexley at Lake Norman Apartments in Cornelius.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Chopper 9 flew over the apartment building on Sterling Bay Lane, which was gutted and still smoking.

“We saw the top floor of the building next to us engulfed in flames,” said neighbor Allison Gorecki. “Then we just kind of quickly came out.”

Gorecki said police evacuated her building as a precaution.

“A bunch of policemen came by and I ran back in, and I ran back in, grabbed the dogs, and they evacuated the building as soon as possible,” she said.

At 6:15 p.m., fire officials said they were making progress extinguishing the flames. Less than 15 minutes later, the fire was controlled, officials said.

Some families in the complex were trying to process what happened while staying optimistic.

(PHOTOS: Bexley at Lake Norman Apartments fire in Cornelius)

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Fire guts Bexley at Lake Norman Apartments Wednesday afternoon Fire guts Bexley at Lake Norman Apartments Wednesday afternoon

“Everything’s going to be OK,” said resident John Sicurello.

Four people were evaluated by MEDIC and no one was taken to the hospital.

Some pets died in the fire while others were rushed to an emergency vet for treatment.

According to the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal’s Office, the cause of the fire was unable to be determined. They were able to confirm the fire started on an outside balcony but do not know definitively how it began.

No further information was released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 2 hurt after fire destroys home in south Charlotte, officials say)

2 hurt after fire destroys home in south Charlotte, officials say

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