By Robert D. Dávila and Cathy Locke
bdavila@sacbee.com
A four-alarm fire overnight caused major damage at an apartment building near Meadowview Road and Freeport Boulevard, displacing many families who were awakened by smoke alarms and fled the fast-moving flames.
Flames that broke out around 2 a.m. today quickly spread through the common attic at the 24-apartment building in the 7600 block of Amherst Street, Sacramento fire Capt. Jim Doucette said. Several upstairs units were destroyed by flames, while water damaged many downstairs dwellings.
"There were heavy flames on the top floor by the time firefighters arrived," Doucette said. "Smoke detectors woke up many people, so that's a good thing."
No injuries were reported. Meanwhile, the Red Cross has set up an evacuation center for residents at the nearby Sam Pannell Meadowview Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road.
Fire investigators this afternoon ruled the cause to be "undetermined," saying they could not rule out electrical problems or malfunctions, Doucette said.
Call The Bee's Robert D. Dávila, (916) 321-1077.
Photo by Randy Pench/rpench@sacbee.com
Sacramento Fire Battalion Chief Chris Ortiz talks about the fire.
(Video by Randy Pench/rpench@sacbee.com)









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