Massive Bellevue Apartment Fire Displaces 80

BELLEVUE, TN -- At least 80 people were displaced Monday after a massive fire destroyed at least 48 units at a Bellevue apartment complex.

Amazingly, the two-alarm fire at Creekwood Apartments on Highway 70 didn't injure any residents, pets or firefighters and Nashville's fire chief said simple technology and humanity are to thank for that.

"Smoke detectors are life savers and we see this every day. Until we see an event of this magnitude, it doesn’t draw the attention that is needed. But we do know that smoke detectors and neighbors being neighbors helped save lives," Nashville Fire Department Chief William Swann said, according to WSMV.

NFD officials said the fire is not suspicious and though an investigation is ongoing, early indications were that it was caused by an HVAC unit.

Bellevue-area Metro Councilmember Sherri Weiner saw the fire and heard the trucks from the nearby Bellevue Library and was on the scene.

“It’s awful. It’s awful … The wind is whipping it so badly that it’s making it harder. I’m overwhelmed at the response of this with the fire department. There must be 50 fire trucks out here. It’s crazy,” she told WKRN.

Metro Mayor Megan Barry was also at the complex.

"I need to be here because I want to thank the folks who are responding and also thank the councilmember who's taking a leadership role in making sure they're safe," Barry told WSMV.

"Our council member Sheri Weiner is right here on the scene. These are her people, they’re her neighbors, and she’s just been a huge rock on this community," the mayor added, according to News 2.

Weiner set up a GoFundMe page for the families.

A shelter was established at Bellevue Church of Christ and a processing center at Bellevue Middle School. The American Red Cross is assisting.

Photo via GoFundMe