A massive fire in Westmont apartment complex sent dozens of people running for their lives Wednesday morning.
The blaze broke out just before 2 a.m. in the 6700 block of South Park, a terrifying wake-up call for the many residents who said they awoke to the sound of fire alarms and smoke in their homes.
Flames were shooting from the roof at one part, residents said.
"The flames were so intense you could feel it across the pond," said witness Dave Schneider. "Got going pretty quick once it started to pick up."
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday morning.
Witness Nicholette Jones said she saw the fire start outside her window in a lamppost. The flames quickly jumped to her wooden balcony.
"I'm just happy to get my family out, my pets out," she said. "But the ones that are really affected are the ones who didn't. Hopefully they can find them."
After residents cleared the building, one heroic firefighter ran back into the flames to rescue a cat from the burning building. Scared, but otherwise unharmed, the animal had been separated from his owner in the chaos.
The Westmont Police Department is also being credited for helping many people to safety.
