Resident describes devastation after Savannah apartment fire displaces dozens

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County Fire and Police responded just before 4 a.m. Sunday to a two-alarm fire at the Georgetown Oak Apartments.

Crews battled the flames and rescued five people trapped in the building. Officers Brandon Lowe and Thomas Velte caught two children thrown to safety from a third-story window.

Twenty-two of the twenty-four units in the building were destroyed, displacing dozens of residents.

All residents were accounted for, and no first responders were injured.

Robert Catanese, public information officer with Chatham County Fire Department, said the outcome could have been worse.

“If it wasn’t for the quick action of our personnel and Chatham County Police Department’s personnel this could’ve been a much different scenario that we are talking about,” Catanese said.

Residents lose everything

Tayanja Johnson, a resident at Georgetown Oak Apartments and active service member, was away on assignment when her boyfriend called saying their home was on fire.

“When he got outside, everything was exploded,” Johnson said.

Johnson said all her belongings were lost in the fire. Loved ones have created a GoFundMe to help Johnson rebuild.

“All of it’s gone, my belongings my loved ones who had passed away have given me very, very valuable items, I am devastated,” she said.

“You don’t know anyone’s situation, and they lost everything they have, everything,” Johnson said.

Fire safety tips

Catanese said fire safety should be a priority for all homes.

“This is a good time to check your smoke alarms and also have an advanced plan to evacuate in case of a fire,” Catanese said.

Evacuation plans should include at least two ways to exit every room in a home. People should also regularly test and change out smoke detectors. Catanese said once a fire begins, you only have one to two minutes to escape. Having a functioning smoke detector could save your life, he said.

Chatham County Fire Department partners with the Red Cross to provide smoke alarms and instillation assistance for anyone who needs it. The county also offers home safety checks that can be requested through the department’s website.

Catanese also said closing your bedroom door creates a buffer in the event of a fire.

“Close before you doze,” he said.

Having doors closed will slow down the spread of flames and give you more time to escape, Catanese said.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is actively investigating the cause of the fire.