The fire broke out just after 8:30 p.m. at building 28 in the Lincoln Green Apartment Complex in the 4000 block of Presidential Boulevard.
Huge flames burned out of control for 47 minutes and tore through four units climbing to two alarms.
RELATED: 6abc Action News' view of the fire
As a firewall grew dividing the building in half, resident Tyrome Howell watched in horror as the flames moved closer to his second floor apartment.
"I came out and there were flames shooting out of both windows," Howell said.
By that time, on the other side of that firewall, the flames had already done their damage.
RELATED:Chopper 6 video of the fire
Resident Christine Singl had moved into the condominium complex just last week.
"I looked out the patio window and could see the reflection across the street of flames and then we smelled the smoke under the door," Singl said
Christine had moved to Lincoln Green with her husband John, a cancer patient; they relocated to get him better care.
RELATED: Action Cam at the scene of the fire
"We rented this apartment for three months and we furnished it with rented furniture and I'm just gratefu...we didn't grab our computer, we didn't grab anything, we just got our car keys, our cell phones, our wallets and ran," Christine said.
As of late Wednesday, firefighters believe the fire began in a third floor apartment.
Though not clear, many believe the resident just moved into the apartment today.
One person was transported to Roxborough Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
RELATED: More video of Action Cam at the scene of the fire
All other residents were able to escape the complex unharmed.
No firefighters were injured even though entire floors of the building collapsed all around them. In fact, at one time during the blaze, all firefighters had to vacate for fear that the building would collapse. That did not come to pass.
"When these guys came, to see them go up to the roof like that, they do amazing stuff," Howell said.
The blaze was placed under control at around 9:30 p.m.
Lincoln Green is working with the Red Cross to make sure those displaced by the fire have a place to stay.
