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One woman dead, 6 injured after apartment fire in Jacobs neighborhood

The first and second floors of the apartment building and even some cars were on fire Thursday morning.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One woman has died after an apartment in Louisville's Jacobs neighborhood caught fire Thursday morning.

According to MetroSafe officials, they received a report of the structure fire in the 3700 block of West Wheatmore Drive around 6 a.m.

The first and second floors of the apartment complex were ablaze as well as some cars parked on the street.

Multiple people have been displaced; three adults and three children were also taken to the hospital, Louisville Fire Major Bobby Cooper confirmed. Their conditions are unknown at this time.

"I was telling them it's a fire. I started knocking on doors. I said 'it's a fire going on, look, look!'" neighbor Roger Watkins said.

He heard a loud boom and that's when he looked outside and saw flames so he rushed to wake up and save his neighbors, including Arthur Wells.

"We stood back there and watch and when we went out there it was like flames going on top of the building and everything," Wells said.

Watkins recorded a video as flames were overtaking the building. Fire crews couldn't get the flames under control until almost an hour later.

"I mean the smoke was real deep and forming real high, I'm like wow, " Watkins said. "Them cars got messed up over there burning people's cars, yeah it was blazing real strong."

The only thing he and Wells could think was how those residents were going to get out. Officials told WHAS11 that some people had to jump to safety.

Watkins and Wells feel fortunate to still be here. They and other neighbors have been looking out for each other since the fire.

"We been together all morning," Wells said. "It's just sad, sad situation."

Fire crews say multiple units were damaged and those residents are being assisted by the Red Cross.

Crews were all day, according to Louisville Fire officials. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive was also on scene to support the Arson Bureau.

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