Hello! My name is Jesse Faust. I had recently moved into this apartment not even 2 or so weeks ago after being displaced from my previous living arrangement. After months and months of being displaced without somewhere to live, I finally felt like I was getting my life together.

At 12:30 AM EST I woke to hear a loud alarm going off, to which I registered to be the fire alarm. Out of precaution, I got dressed and got my shoes on, and went out to the balcony to investigate the glow of yellow outside.

Two balconies over, on the top fourth floor, the balcony was engulfed in flames. Out of panic we tried to open the front door to see if we could get out, but the hallway was already filled with thick black smoke.

Me and my three roommates rushed to the balcony to get fresh air and away from the smoke, and realized soon we were literally trapped until the firefighters showed up. By the time we realized we were stranded on the balcony they hadn't even showed up yet.

My roommate tried to get the two cats from the building but was only successful in retrieving one cat. The other died due to the smoke.

We were unsuccessful in rescuing any of my reptiles as well, which was a collection of over 5 at least. All of which have either died due to smoke or the cold.

The firefighters finally reached us and had to kick our balcony out to help us down the ladder. And soon after we had to seek medical attention.

But now we are all unhoused and displaced, without any of our belongings, I don't even have my car key or any identification on me.

Usually I wouldn't make one of these, but after being urged from my partner, I figured it couldn't hurt. If you can't help that's totally fine. But sharing would do more than you know.