GREENWOOD, Ind. — Fire investigators say it will likely be days before they know what caused a big apartment fire in Greenwood over the weekend.
That's because of extensive damage at the Polo Run Apartments near U.S. 31 and Fry Road.
We're also getting a better idea of the scope of Saturday morning's fire – a dozen units heavily damaged.
Crews spent Monday boarding up and clearing out after fire raced through Polo Run.
Caleb McIntire took video of the strong flames shooting into the sky.
"They were easily pushing probably five feet above the building. Like, it was ... it was pretty intense," McIntire said.
The fire started just before 2 a.m. Saturday. Residents say smoke alarms went off right away.
"I woke up from a dead sleep from pounding on the front door," McIntire said.
"I heard this kind of weird buzzing sound, but didn't know what it was," added resident Jacob Bainbridge. "Then I looked outside our porch and saw flames licking up the building. I thought, 'Oh, crap! Fire!'"
Greenwood firefighters say 12 units got damaged in the fire.
Thirty-three people were impacted and are now out of their homes.
Multiple fire departments, including Greenwood and White River Township, were able to knock the fire down quickly and keep it from spreading further and getting any worse.
"Any time an apartment comes in, we know there's families involved, lots of people, lots of danger to ourselves and the citizens that we serve," said Greenwood Fire Department public information officer Tyler Swardson.
"I was worried about getting everybody out," McIntire said, "Wanting to make sure everyone was safe."
Everyone was safe, including families with young kids.
Swardson said there was only one minor injury — a slight burn and smoke inhalation to a maintenance worker who lives in the complex.
But now, residents are looking for what's left.
Bainbridge and his roommate, Jocelyn Hutchins, stopped by the scene Monday, hoping to see what they could salvage. And they not only needed to see their stuff, they had to hear it, too.
"I'm an elementary music teacher over in Decatur Township," Bainbridge said. "I got my expensive instruments out that night."
"I'm a music education major at the University of Indianapolis and also teach music," added Hutchins. "I really needed my sheet music, my recital dress, my instruments. I have three concerts in the next week. Ninety-five percent of all of my music and my teaching aids are in my apartment."
Hutchins discovered some of her books of sheet music were damaged by water in the firefight.
But she tested out her flute, which seemed to play perfectly. She also checked out an electric bass guitar, searching for any signs of damage.
"Yeah, I'm assuming everything's fine," she said. "Looks OK."
The musicians are thankful their instruments made it through fire, but more importantly, they're glad their neighbors did, too.
"It could have been way worse. I feel so bad for everyone else, and I'm extremely lucky for our situation," Hutchins said. "But I'm really glad for Fire Angels and the Red Cross for coming out with us."
"There were only people with minimal injuries and that's about as lucky as we could have gotten," Bainbridge added.
The Red Cross and Fire Angels, Inc. are working to help displaced families. Fire Angels is a nonprofit that responds immediately to fire incidents in Johnson County.
Organizers say so many people in the community have reached out to see if they can help the people impacted in Polo Run. They say the best way to do so is message the FIRE ANGELS INC Facebook page.
They have a running list of people's needs and can connect you with a family.
Household items like furniture, air mattresses and small appliances are needed most.