Apartment fire in Addison displaces family with young children

ADDISON - A fire in a downstairs unit of Cardinal Apartments in Addison Monday, January, 22, displaced one family,  including two small children,  and caused eight other families to evacuate.

Dexton Jeffery Duke, Alexus Warren and two children, Silas, 3, and Delilah, 1, have been displaced due to the fire, which is believed to have started in the children’s bedroom, according to Addison Police Chief Luke Sheppard.

Sheppard, Sgt. Tim Williams and Assistant Chief Greg Rooks were the first on the scene, responding around 2:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22,  to Apartment B-11 at Cardinal Apartments on Highway 278, making entry into the apartment, after the families had been evacuated, police said.

Police learned that Warren had noticed smoke and tried to put out the fire using water, but could not, recalled Rooks.
“She closed the door and got the kids out,” Rooks said. “She was more concerned about the safety of her kids, which is understandable."
After the affected family evacuated their apartment, Warren went to all of the other apartments in the building, knocking on doors and telling occupants to evacuate, first responders said.
Heavy fire, heat and smoke damage occurred to the bedroom, displacing the family until insurance can be checked and restorations made.

The two children lost their toys, clothing and bedroom furniture in the fire, and the family is in need of help to get back on their feet.  Anyone who would like to help can call Warren at  (205) 603-5575.

“I just want to find a place to live so I can have my kids,” Duke said, adding the family was currently staying with a family member in the fire’s aftermath.