Residents recovering after losing homes to Fort Worth apartment fire

Investigators said 16 units at a complex on Randol Mill Road were damaged during a fire on Friday night

People who lost everything in a Fort Worth apartment building fire on Friday night are trying to figure out what comes next.

The fire broke out around 9:30 PM on November 15 in a complex near 8900 Randol Mill Road. On Sunday, NBC 5 spoke with some of those who escaped the flames and are now hoping to get back on their feet.

Standing in front of the wreckage of what was his apartment building, Ornando Watford said he couldn’t help feeling a sense of relief.

“Just grateful I got out,” said Watford. “Honestly it was a close call, glad I wasn’t asleep or anything like that.”

On Friday night, massive flames engulfed the top of his building, with the roof collapsing as firefighters tried to knock down the blaze.

“Took us about an hour to bring the fire under control,” said Craig Trojacek with the Fort Worth Fire Department. “I think all in all there are about 16 units that were affected by either fire, smoke or water damage.”

Investigators said they didn’t encounter anyone who had been injured in the incident.

The fire broke out across the hall from Watford’s unit, where he was alerted by the sound of wood crackling.

“I actually look into the peephole first, and I can kind of see a light from the flames,” Watford said.

He called 911 and rushed out, banging on doors to warn other residents to evacuate.

Downstairs he could only watch as the fire spread to his apartment, destroying his home – and his work.

“I’m a graphic designer, and then I was also just starting to be an artist as well,” said Watford. “So, I had a good amount of pieces that I had made and put time and love into that are in there.”

Showcasing his work on his Instagram page “Layerstothis_”, Watford says many of his pieces are motivational and aim to inspire others to keep going.

That’s a mindset he’s embracing now as he leans on family and friends to get through this setback.

“You know, things can be replaced but I can’t,” he told NBC 5.

On Sunday the Fort Worth Fire Department said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.