The fire started around 1 a.m. Wednesday near the 5 Freeway and Beach Boulevard. Investigators said the cause of the fire was "accidental due to unattended cooking."
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The fire started in one building and spread to a neighboring one.
"Ours crews got here were hampered with some challenges as far as wires down that were affected by the fire," said a firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority.
A second alarm brought in the help of the crews from Anaheim and Fullerton.
Video obtained by Eyewitness News showed a woman using a hose to try to put out flames in an effort to keep them from spreading to her house next door. Her neighbor warns her to back away, fearing the boiler will explode.
"The boiler is right there, back away, please!" he's heard telling the woman in Spanish.
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The estimated damage is around $1 million to the apartment building and an additional $250,000 in personal items lost.
No one was hurt, but 11 adults and four children were displaced. Several pets were also saved.
The American Red Cross was on the scene providing assistance to those in need.