WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Fire destroys Denham Springs apartment bldg.

Fire destroys Denham Springs apartment bldg.

By David Spunt - email

DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WAFB) - Residents of a Denham Springs apartment complex could only watch as their homes went up in smoke Friday.

The massive fire destroyed a building at the Boardwalk Place Apartments on Vincent Road. No one was hurt in the blaze. Though the building is destroyed and people have lost their personal belongings, some neighbors say they are just fortunate to be alive.

Elgie Rhymes wasn't home when it happened. She lost just about everything she owns. "I feel lost," she said. "You lose everything you got, but I look at it this way, you do have yourself and I just thank the Lord I wasn't hurt."

Christian Perpera was devastated when he thought his dog "Lannie" was stuck on the second floor of the building, but moments later, the small dachshund made it out safely. "I'm so happy," Perpera said.

During the fire, a Denham Springs motorcycle officer named Marty Burkes was hit by an SUV while trying to control traffic. Burkes reportedly has a broken leg and he is expected to be alright.

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