Light Of Day Reveals Damage Left By Apartment Fire

EL PASO — Fire crews remain at the scene of a massive blaze that forced the evacuations of two dozen families.

The flames started to spread around 8 p.m. at the Linda Vista Apartments, just north of BassettPlace Mall.

Fire investigators now say a 6-year-old boy playing with matches and a lighter set his mother’s mattress on fire.

ABC 7photographers managed to capture the apartment complexatsunrise on Monday, when the extent of the damage first came into view. The aftermath shows balconies and windowsills charred, windows badly scarred by fire, and large gaps in the roof of the complex that opened up as the flames shot upward.

The residents displaced by the fire have hadthe option tostay at Ross Middle School, which the Red Cros has turned into ashelter. Others are staying with relatives.

It took more than 130 firefightersalmost three hoursto contain the fire.

Fire Department spokesman Lt. Mario Hernandez said all of the residents of the building were evacuated safely and no major injuries were reported.

Officials with the fire department say more than 24 families were taken in Sun Metro buses to Ross Middle School, where they will likely spend the next two days.

Tony Escobedo, emergency manager for the Red Cross, said beds, blankets and meals will be provided for the families at the middle school.