Dry Hydrant Delayed Georgia Firefighters

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. --

Firefighters said a faulty fire hydrant cost them critical time as they battled a huge blaze Friday afternoon.

The fire started at the Camelot Condominium complex off Old National Highway in south Fulton County.

Fulton County Chief Fire Marshal Keith Padgett said when his crews arrived at the scene, a hydrant located only a few hundred feet away from the building, was dry.

There was a delay because of the fire protection system. This was a private system inside the complex. It was not adequate, said Padgett. They spent about 15 to 20 minutes trying to find water because they couldnt get no water, resident Rashad Ali said.

In that time, the fire spread quickly.

Eloise Lewis was trapped on the third floor. Firefighters had to rescue her.

I went to the patio and I was getting ready to jump and I started hollering for somebody to help me, Lewis said. I said, I don't want to burn up in here, and the guy said, Don't jump, the firemen are coming.

No one was hurt, but firefighters said they are still investigating how the fire started.

Fulton police questioned one woman. She was not taken into custody. People who live at the complex said she told them she accidentally dropped a cigarette on a bed.

Padgett said theyve been working with the complex for more than a year over fire protection issues. They do not plan to cite the complex.

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