The calls for help from Lanvale Towers came in around 3:30 Sunday afternoon.
"It was in flames, the whole 8th floor was like literally on fire, the sky was black, it just took up most of the sky," said Resident Shardae Weldon.
The flames tore through the 8th floor and roof of the building, quickly spreading to two-alarms. Fire crews had the blaze under control in about an hour, but the entire property had to be evacuated.
About a block away from the complex, the American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at the Oliver Multi-Purpose Center to help the nearly 200 displaced residents.
Officials say 33-people spent the night, and by Monday afternoon, 42-tenants were at the facility. As of now, the shelter will stay open until at least Wednesday morning.
"What we're providing is immediate needs right now, a place to stay, you know, out of the weather, and food, we had dinner last night, breakfast, and we're serving lunch now," American Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter Regional Communication Officer Lenore Koors said.
Britani Coleman and her one-year-old son Elijah live on the building's 8th floor. Like many residents, the young mother didn't have renters insurance.
"Everything is gone, all my stuff, all my money, all my books and stuff, I go to school to be a medical assistant, all my books and everything gone,” she said. “My son's pampers, everything gone, everything, we don't have nothing."
Most people only have the clothes on their backs, and can't get into the high-rise to grab outfits, medications and other things they need.
"I had to call out of work, I couldn't go to work because my things and belongings may have got messed up, it was a lot of water damage," Weldon said.
"Everybody's hoping that they get back in the building," said Resident Nicole Blackwell said.
City housing officials say the subsidized complex is badly damaged, explaining there's a chance the property could be condemned.
"We know the roof is extremely damaged, some floors from the 8th down to 4th are in pretty bad condition,” Baltimore Housing Deputy Commissioner Reggie Scriber said. “The building is water logged in some cases, the elevator is not working, the power is off."
News residents were not happy to hear. Many are frustrated and just want answers.
"First I want to know where me and my son gonna go,” said Coleman. "I really want to know what they gonna do about my stuff, and I’m really worried about my books for real, how I’m gonna go to school."
"I don't know what to do right now but just pray about it," Weldon said.
Scriber tells ABC 2 News he anticipates allowing residents back into the apartment complex to get things they need Tuesday morning. By Wednesday, leaders hope to have a long-term plan in place for everyone who lives in the building.
