Fire erupts at 2 adjacent apartment buildings in Anaheim; 40 displaced

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Flames and heavy smoke poured out of the roofs of two apartment buildings in Anaheim early Friday morning, prompting several evacuations and damaging eight apartments.

The three-alarm fire was reported at the Rancho Benmore Apartments in the 1500 block of E. Benmore Lane at about 5:30 a.m.

The large blaze was fully involved through the roofs where the flames and smoke were most visible.

Neighbors and evacuated residents looked on as firefighters worked to get the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt estimates that at least 40 people were displaced.

Firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority and Fullerton Fire Department assisted Anaheim crews in fighting the fire. Wyatt said firefighters had to retreat from initial positions inside and out when roofs and stairways were compromised.

The blaze was knocked down at about 6:20 a.m. The fire at the two-story apartment buildings caused an estimated $500,000 in structural damage.

One Fullerton firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his shoulder.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.