More than 50 people are without a home tonight, after a fire broke out in an east Green Bay apartment complex last night.
The fire began in a townhouse at Meadowview East complex, where a mother and her three children lived. They escaped unharmed.
Firefighters say, thanks to large fire walls, many more units were protected.
"If not for the fire walls, we would have had a lot more damage. The fire walls are very important in this building," said Green Bay Battalion Chief Tim Smits.
"I heard about the fire walls and how they are supposed to protect," said evacuated resident, Lloyd Heitman. "So, i was just hoping there wasn't any smoke damage or hoping those walls would hold up."
While the fire didn't spread past the fire wall, it did sever the water line that feeds the entire building.
"The gas, the water, the electric is all down. So, we can't stay in our house tonight, but we are allowed to come back and get stuff," said evacuated resident Jenni Beckert.
As the reality sinks in for those who lost much of their belongings, those on the other side of the fire wall are grateful they were spared.
"We're pretty lucky. It could've been a lot worse than it actually was," said Heitman.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire. The American Red Cross is providing displaced victims with emergency lodging and food and clothing vouchers.
The Red Cross says this is the area's fourth apartment fire this year. Right now, it's in need of cash donations and blankets.
