'I lost everything': Dozens displaced following fire at West Allis apartment complex

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- More than 30 people may have lost their home after a large fire at an apartment complex in West Allis Wednesday morning, May 31. 

Three people were injured in the fire that started around 4 a.m. at the Morgan Grove Apartments, located near Wildwood Lane in West Allis.

Neighbors are left shaken up. 

"I went outside and started screaming 'there's a fire, there's a fire'," said Ashley Culvert, apartment resident. 

Ashley Culvert was one of the first to call 911 when she heard fire crackling from a neighbor's balcony. 

"Within minutes it engulfed in flames, and the entire roof was on fire," said Culvert. "People were starting to run out, you heard. A lot of kids screaming, a lot of people screaming." 

When fire crews arrived, they immediately started searching for people inside and rescued two adults and two children. 

"They had extremely heavy fire conditions, knew there were people trapped, and stayed in the building longer than they should have to rescue those that they could fine," said West Allis Fire Department Assistant Chief Jay Scharfenberg. 

The flames took several hours to put out. 

West Allis fire officials say at least 10 apartment units were involved. 

"There are parts of it that will be a total loss, other parts will need extensive rehab. I lost everything in that house. Everything I had, my kids had, is gone," Mary Ranson said, apartment resident. 

Mary Ranson was told her apartment suffered the most damage. She believes the fire started next door to her. 

"It was a mess. The smoke. The black smoke was getting lower and lower and lower," Ranson said. 

While devastated, Ranson is grateful her and her children got out safely. 

"Seeing them kids come out on stretchers, people getting transferred to burn units, it's sad," Mary said. 

The Red Cross opened a reception center for displaced residents at Mother of Perpetual Help on South 106th Street.