Princeton Fire Displaces Families, Hero Comes to Their Rescue
By: Tabnie Dozier
Updated: June 17, 2012
An early fire in Princeton has left more than twenty people without a home. Princeton fire units responded to Lincoln Center Apartments on Walnut Street around 2:30 Saturday morning. The apartment complex houses those with mental and physical disabilities but officials say no one was injured. Lincoln Center tenants are thanking one young man who took matters into his own hands to evacuate residents in need. Andrew Ellis says he was exactly where he needed to be. He says he was at Lincoln Center Apartments with his mom as the apartment caught fire. Lincoln Center has 12 units, and Ellis says he helped about eight people get out before fire and rescue arrived, people who would've had a tough time otherwise. Princeton's Red Cross has set up a shelter for those displaced by the fire. As for Ellis, he's bashful and doesn't like the hero title, but he'll have a tough time convincing these Lincoln Center tenants that he's just an ordinary guy. Fire investigators say the State Fire Marshal is coming to Princeton Monday to help determine a cause and origin of the fire. Ellis says he's thankful for the strength to carry so many people out, a strength that he says he doesn't know where it came from.
PREVIOUS REPORT:
Gibson County Dispatch tells Eyewitness News an early morning fire happened in Princeton and many families are without a home. Dispatch says Princeton Fire Department was called out to Lincoln Center Apartments on Walnut Street around 2:30 Saturday morning. No word on injuries or a cause but Princeton's American Red Cross is setting up shelter for those affected by the fire. Crews had to block of the end of Walnut for a period while battling the blaze. Eyewitness News Tabnie Dozier will have the full story tonight at 6:00pm.


