Some Valley residents said they had just a few seconds to escape a fast moving fire Wednesday at the Mountain Gate Apartments near Tatum Boulevard and Cactus Road.
"The smoke was horrendous, but I think what panicked me the most was when I came out and I saw the flames shooting out there," resident Cheryl Brown said.
Brown said she was inside her unit with her niece sleeping when maintenance workers came pounding on her door.
Phoenix Fire said they got several 911 calls around 1 p.m. Wednesday. Callers reported rapidly growing flames and black smoke.
Fire officials called it a first-alarm, bringing more units and firefighters to help get the blaze under control. They said everyone was able to get out safely.
Investigators are looking at a second floor balcony for a possible clues.
Four units were affected by heat, smoke and water damage, displacing four residents.
