Neighbor rescues couple from fiery Ga. apartment building

ShareAdd Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on GoogleATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - No injuries were reported after a fire at a Stone Mountain apartment complex, DeKalb County fire officials said. Fire officials said units responded to Mountain Oaks Apartments at 4719 Central Dr. around 5:18 p.m. Monday and found a 12-unit, three-story building engulfed in flames. The blaze, which investigators believe originated from a cooking incident, appeared to be accidental in nature, the DeKalb County Fire Rescue said Tuesday. Charred walls and doors are a stark reminder of what could have been.“If he had been a few minutes later, we wouldn’t have been out that door,” said Ernest Brown.Ernest Brown shares deep gratitude for the man who saved his and his wife’s lives.“These are what call American heroes,” said Brown.Around 5 p.m. Monday, Phillip Williams stepped outside his home and quickly realized his neighbors were still inside, unaware of the danger.“I saw their vehicle, and seeing everyone else that was outside, I just knew they were still in there,” said Williams.Williams said he ran across the walkway bridge to the apartment on the right and pounded on the door.“He said the fire is here,” said Brown. “I said ok. No, the fire is here! When he grabbed me I could feel the back fire back here.”“All I heard was fire, fire, fire,” Ernest’s wife said. “He dragged me out.”“Fire dropped down on her as I grabbed her,” said Williams, as he recalled the fire embers were beginning to catch on her shirt. “That was the scary part. She didn’t realize it. I just grabbed her and ran with her. I thought I was going to hurt her at first.”When asked what it means to be considered a hero, “I actually don’t know what to say,” said Williams. “I don’t consider myself a hero. I did what I was supposed to do. I don’t see myself as a hero.”For the Browns, this loss hits differently. This is their second fire at this exact complex in just a matter of months. They are left balancing deep gratitude for the neighbor who saved them with disbelief that disaster could strike twice.Investigators said they have not found a connection between this incident and other fires.DeKalb County Fire told Atlanta News First that the American Red Cross would be on hand to help residents of the 12 units affected by the fire.Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - No injuries were reported after a fire at a Stone Mountain apartment complex, DeKalb County fire officials said. Fire officials said units responded to Mountain Oaks Apartments at 4719 Central Dr. around 5:18 p.m. Monday and found a 12-unit, three-story building engulfed in flames. The blaze, which investigators believe originated from a cooking incident, appeared to be accidental in nature, the DeKalb County Fire Rescue said Tuesday. Charred walls and doors are a stark reminder of what could have been.“If he had been a few minutes later, we wouldn’t have been out that door,” said Ernest Brown.Ernest Brown shares deep gratitude for the man who saved his and his wife’s lives.“These are what call American heroes,” said Brown.Around 5 p.m. Monday, Phillip Williams stepped outside his home and quickly realized his neighbors were still inside, unaware of the danger.“I saw their vehicle, and seeing everyone else that was outside, I just knew they were still in there,” said Williams.Williams said he ran across the walkway bridge to the apartment on the right and pounded on the door.“He said the fire is here,” said Brown. “I said ok. No, the fire is here! When he grabbed me I could feel the back fire back here.”“All I heard was fire, fire, fire,” Ernest’s wife said. “He dragged me out.”“Fire dropped down on her as I grabbed her,” said Williams, as he recalled the fire embers were beginning to catch on her shirt. “That was the scary part. She didn’t realize it. I just grabbed her and ran with her. I thought I was going to hurt her at first.”When asked what it means to be considered a hero, “I actually don’t know what to say,” said Williams. “I don’t consider myself a hero. I did what I was supposed to do. I don’t see myself as a hero.”For the Browns, this loss hits differently. This is their second fire at this exact complex in just a matter of months. They are left balancing deep gratitude for the neighbor who saved them with disbelief that disaster could strike twice.Investigators said they have not found a connection between this incident and other fires.DeKalb County Fire told Atlanta News First that the American Red Cross would be on hand to help residents of the 12 units affected by the fire.