2 Families Homeless After Apartment Fire In East El Paso

Two families were left homeless after a fire extensively damaged their apartments in east El Paso, according El Paso Fire Department.

Officials said the fire broke out at the Ridgemar apartments at 10701 Vista Del Sol shortly after 4 p.m. on Friday.

Fire crews said they arrived to find flames and heavy smoke coming from a balcony of one of the apartment units.

No one was home in the apartment, but fire crews said they had to evacuate a family in the apartment below where the fire was located.

Authorities said two units involved in the blaze had damage estimated at $40,000.

No injuries were reported.

The El Paso chapter of the American Red Cross was providing temporary shelter to the families.

There was no word on what caused the fire, but fire investigators were called to the scene.

The El Paso Fire Department would like to remind residents to check smoke alarms and practice a fire escape plan in your home.