Photo by Carol Toler.
This post has been updated. If you’d like to help, click on this link to purchase items for children who lost everything in the fire and tap “Forest Lane Academy” under “shipping address.” You may also email Forest Lane Academy counselor Copeland Norcross at Copeland.Norcross@RISD.org.
A fast-moving fire broke out early Monday morning at the Forestwood on the Creek apartments in the 9600 block of Forest Lane, frightening residents and displacing families. One resident was transported to the hospital for undisclosed medical reasons, and one firefighter was hospitalized after suffering a minor injury. Both are expected to recover fully.
Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to the call just after 5 a.m. and found intense flames visible from the roof of at least one three-story building. They worked defensively to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding buildings. Residents banged on the doors of neighbors to roust them from sleep and help them get out safely.
A section of Forest Lane between Audelia and LBJ was closed while fire crews fought the blaze, and traffic was snarled for miles as commuters tried to get to work. Parents struggled to access Forest Lane Academy, about a quarter mile to the east. Forest Lane has now been reopened.
Forestwood on the Creek is home to large numbers of young families, and Lake Highlands-area students have been impacted by the fire. Richardson ISD officials and campus staff are already working to provide support for those students, and the American Red Cross is providing aid to residents.
The fire has now been extinguished, but crews will remain on the scene to monitor hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Photo by Carol Toler.
Photo by Carol Toler.
