Fire crews battle blaze at Plymouth Township apartment complex - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

A fire at a Plymouth Township apartment complex spread like wildfire destroying a building 16 neighbors called home.

"When the smoke changed color to black, I said there's a problem," Vincent Petransky remarked.

"Within minutes there was black smoke everywhere," said Karen Jordan.  "When I was in the bathroom, I was already chocking from the smoke."

Residents watched as firefighters battled the fast moving fire fueled by the wind.

"Once it got up into the attic, it just took off from there.  So then it was just a matter of trying to catch it, and that was the problem," said Plymouth Township Fire Chief Mark Wendel.

The chief said it is too early to say what started the fire.  No residents or firefighters were injured, but several pets were reported missing.

This is not the first time calamity has struck this tight-knit apartment complex.  Nearly five years ago, a tornado tore the roof off of one of the buildings.

As residents consoled each, they counted their blessings.  Jeff White watched as flames continued to dart out of his apartment and hoped his wedding pictures survived.

"Computers can be replaced, books can be replaced, but the wedding pictures... that's the one thing we're worried about," he said.

Jordan was worried her photos may be gone, too.

"My heart has a little bit of a hole in it right now.  My pictures of my late father and my children, and you can't replace that," she said.

Petransky said he would settle for a pair of pants and has not thought much about what he will do next.

"I want to get some clothes on and get any insurance papers and call them," he said.  "Other than that, no, I don't have a clue."