KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A fire at a Kissimmee hotel on Friday has displaced hundreds people, according to Osceola County officials.
The initial call was for a two-alarm fire at the 130-room hotel, but it escalated to a three-alarm blaze.
Fire officials responded at 4:42 a.m. to the fire at Unno Boutique Hotel on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway.
Osceola fire Chief Daniel McAvoy said the fire started in an area of the hotel that wasn't occupied because it was under construction. The blaze spread through the hotel's attic to some occupied rooms, but no injuries were reported.
McAvoy said the fire might have started because of the construction. An investigation is continuing.
McAvoy said 50 to 70 crew members battled the blaze.
The Osceola Fire Department received help from Kissimmee and St. Cloud firefighters and one crew from Orange County, McAvoy said.
Hotel guest Melvin Marquez told News 6 he lost everything in the fire.
"I don't know what I am going to do," Marquez said. "I lost money, gifts for the kids, everything."
"God saved us. That's the only thing I'm worried about. Our lives was in jeopardy. We didn't know what was going on," Isryeal Smith said.
Isryeal, 10, and his mother said they're lucky to be alive after an overnight blaze tore down their home.
"As I was waking up, I couldn't breathe, and that's when you hear the boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, and the fog was real thick, and, 'Get out, get out, get out,'" mother Yonaka Smith said.
Yonaka Smith said she did everything she could to make sure her four kids got out, and that they're amazed by how much help they've already received.
"When you see all races come together to save lives, how you say it? That's the meaning for the season?" Yonaka Smith said.
Another mother said she saw the fire on News 6 and came out to help, donating all sorts of clothes and toys for children.
"I feel good. I want to teach my kids to do the same and especially in the holidays, so it just breaks my hearts to see families losing their stuff and their house like this," Maria Perez said.
"It's the day before Christmas and you find out your home burned down, and it feels good to help. If it was me, I would appreciate other people helping," added her son, Javier Perez.
The Red Cross set up a pet-friendly shelter Friday afternoon at Kissimmee Middle School for people who were evacuated from the hotel, Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb said.
“Everyone is working diligently to assess the needs of the residents who lost their homes and to make sure that they are taken care of during this holiday season,” Grieb said.
Osceola County officials said they are working out a visit from Santa Claus to the shelter as well.
The Red Cross confirmed they are assisting 80 families.
Leslie Saladino, who was staying at the hotel with her family, said she got out with only her shoes on her feet.
"My kids lost everything for Christmas but I know these are material things," Saladino said. "You can get that back but you can't get a life back."
The county set up a donation website to help people affected by the fire, Grieb said.
The community is getting results for the survivors, donating food, blankets and clothing to fire victims.
Donated items can be dropped off at The Council on Aging across the street from the hotel, the Osceola Sheriff's Office said.
"It's Christmas time and I feel so bad for the families," one woman who was dropping off supplies said.
Some people drove to the facility with truckloads of donations, including clothing, blankets, food and toys. They told News 6 they're trying to keep the holiday spirit alive for the families displaced by the fire.
"I told my kids to 'go clean out your closets, get rid of your stuff you don't fit in anymore and we'll bring it here,'" Jennifer Sharp said.
Strangers said they felt the need to give and spread joy during the toughest times.
"Sometimes you lose faith in humanity, but things like this happen, and you begin it again," Maurice Correa, a hotel guest, said.
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