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Natalie Holzer/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - An apartment fire forced some westside Indianapolis residents out on the streets Sunday morning.
The fire broke out at the Idlewood Apartments near West 38th Street and I-465.
But despite the considerable damage, folks burned-out are very grateful for what they do have.
Laurie Bandos|Fire Victim
Captain Michael Pruitt|Wayne Township Fire Department
"As I look around it's just sad," said fire victim Laurie Bandos.
A sad sight on a Sunday morning at the Idlewood Apartments.
Residents and their family and friends try to shake off the ashes and the shock from what happened just hours earlier.
"I woke up at about 4:30 in the morning. And there were neighbors knocking on all the doors to get us out. I heard somebody yell fire. The panic and trying to get out and we got out of here,"
"When we left here at 6:30 the roof was still on so this was shocking to come in and know that all this was on the floor."
On the floor what used to be a roof over their heads after a fire swept through the attic.
Eight apartments were seriously damaged and at least 28 residents are without a place to live.
It looks pretty bad but a lot of the residents are grateful to firefighters for what they did salvage.
"Very compassionate. You know they took my keyboard which was right here which most certainly would've been damaged on my bed moved it was 50 pounds and moved it into my closet which no chance of it being damaged. I feel very fortunate that they were here."
"It's all part of the customer service that we deliver to the door. We train our guys to keep an eye out for personal belongings that might be of some importance."
There's still a lot of packing and cleaning up ahead but with the support of friends and loved ones, a much needed part of the recovery.
Amid the mess some gratitude from victims for what the fire did not destroy.
It took firefighters about an hour to get the blaze under control.
Investigators from Wayne township believe the fire started on a second floor balcony, but they are still unsure of a cause.
