People displaced by Garden City apartment fire say they were without water for weeks prior

GARDEN CITY, Ga. (WTOC) - Several people are without a home today after Wednesday’s fire at an apartment complex off Highway 80 in Garden City.

People living at Azure Cove say they have lost everything in this fire.

“I instantly went to panicking,” Neveah Williams said.

Building number 800 was engulfed in flames for hours. Residents say they are devastated by how much they’ve lost.

Several people living here like Nevaeh and Calvin Williams told WTOC they have been without water in building 800 had to use jugs of water since last week. They say Azure Cove offered put them in a motel, Nevaeh says was unpleasing.

Residents say a contractor was working on fixing the water problem when the fire erupted. They say there was a delay in calling 911 because workers were trying to put the fire out themselves.

“It was just a shocker. It wasn’t supposed to go that way. There wasn’t supposed to a fire involved. We was supposed to come home to the water being fixed,” said Calvin Williams, who was displaced by the fire.

According to Garden City fire crews that were back on the scene assessing the damage Thursday, they do not believe this fire was arson.

In a statement, GCFR said in part that damage estimates aren’t available and efforts are been taken to assist displaced residents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

WTOC has not been able to confirm how the fire started yet with GCFR or Azure Cove officials. A firefighter said accessing water was not a problem for them when firefighters arrived.

The Williams were excited to finally come home to running water but instead came back to ashes.

“It hurts for real. My grandma’s stuff was up there. I don’t know how to feel. It’s unbelievable.”

The president of Garden City’s neighborhood association, Donna Williams, said Azure Cove management said more than 40 people are displaced including nearly a dozen children.

She and faith based organizations are providing several necessities to those who are now without the basics because of this fire.

“From underclothes, because they literally have the clothes off their backs, shoes and one family said hey I need a jacket this is all I have,” said Donna Williams.

If you were displaced and in need, you can contact Donna through phone at 9124296599 or email at 31408gardencity@gmail.com.

Donna says Azure Cove is offering those displaced room in a shelter in the meantime.

We did ask the property owners, RReaf Residential, for a statement and have not received it yet.

Garden City Fire Departments Full Statement:

“On Wednesday, November 09, 2022, at 4:45 p.m., the Garden City Fire Department was dispatched to a two-story apartment building located at Hwy 80 in Garden City. The nature of the call was reported smoke coming from a multi-residential structure described as Building #800. When Garden Fire Department arrived on the scene, firefighter personnel aggressively began suppressing the fire, along with other requested agencies that arrived. The fire was contained to half of the building, and other buildings were protected due to an immense team effort by all agencies involved. Damage estimates are unavailable now, and great efforts are being taken to assist the displaced residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Garden City Fire Department investigation and Savannah Fire Investigation Units. The fire was fought by more than 20 firefighters, including the Garden City Fire Department, Savannah Fire Department, Port Wentworth Fire Rescue, and Pooler Fire Department. Additional support was provided by the Garden City Police Department, Chatham Emergency Services, American Red Cross, and several other local service organizations. The Garden City Fire Department would like to thank all agencies for their assistance and as well the occupants of the building for their patience during the incident. Thankfully, no civilians or firefighters were injured in the efforts to contain the fire and minimize the losses. The Incident remains under active investigation; as such, no additional information will be released until the investigation is concluded.”

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