Community helps families displaced by apartment fire

ROCK HILL, S.C. — There's been an outpouring of community support for victims of a fire. Flames engulfed the Yorktowne Village Apartments on Friday in Rock Hill.

There were no injuries, but eight units are now severely damaged. So much so that firefighters say around 20 people can't go home, but neighbors are bringing home to them.

Dozens of people brought in donations Saturday to help the families affected.

"It's so much it's leaving me speechless -- the outpour of help," Caroline Melo said.

Melo has two little kids. Her family wasn't home when the fire started, but she's now dealing with the aftermath, right before Christmas. While she has a lot to complain about, Melo is grateful for the support she's received.

Gifts, clothes, gift cards--it's Christmas," Melo said.

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Many of the people who are donating are Melo's neighbors who were not affected by the flames.

"We might not know everyone personally, but still we all live together," Sherah Rice said. "And if you can't help the people who live next door to you -- it would be a very sad world."

Other people work at nearby businesses and learned about the fire from watching the news. They brought in clothing and food, as well as toys for the three little kids who lost their Christmas presents along with countless other things.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Melo said. "I'll never stop thanking them...and hope whatever they give...it's tripled for them."

The apartment complex has helped the families with temporary housing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

WSOC