Austell Family Rebuilds Life After Blaze

AUSTELL, GA — The blaze ripped through 20 units at Lake Crossing Apartments the night of April 20, forcing nearly 60 people to be displaced.

One of those people was 27-year-old Austell native Destiny Redmond, a mother of two young daughters who is now trying to rebuild her life. Redmond lived in the complex with her boyfriend and their children.

A career photographer, Redmond was not home at the time of the fire. She was on a cruise in the Bahamas, photographing a wedding.

But her brother was home. He was asleep when a neighbor banged on the door and he saw the fire across the hall. Redmond's brother evacuated the ground-floor apartment barefoot and called his mother who then called Redmond.

Redmond's best friend of 16 years, Ayuna Edwards, arrived at the scene 30 minutes later and video chatted with Redmond who saw crews working the fire that was wreaking havoc on the apartment building. Redmond was hopeful as it seemed her apartment was the only one untouched.

It appeared her apartment would outlive the fire, but it fell victim to a hotspot 15 minutes after Edwards' arrival, with Redmond watching through a phone in tears.

"I was devastated," Redmond said, who lived in the apartment for almost three years.

She felt helpless and was in a state of disbelief, knowing she could do nothing to save her belongings, some of which were family keepsakes.

Edwards said when Redmond saw her bedroom being burned, she broke down in tears.

"As her best friend, I hurt, too," Edwards said. "It’s one of those situations where the person hurts, you hurt. … It hurts to know everything she had was burning to ashes. … It’s a feeling that you can’t explain. .. It’s like my heart just fell to the bottom of the floor."

Both Redmond and Edwards said the building alarms did not sound and alert the residents to the fire nor did the sprinkler system activate itself. Edwards said she did not hear an alarm until a firefighter triggered it for about 15 minutes.

Cobb County fire officials reported no injuries in the fire, but Redmond said a neighbor lost her dog due to the fire.

Redmond said residents have not been able to visit their apartments to try and salvage what belongings they can and to see the extent of the damage because they have been told it is too dangerous.

S&S Property Management and Lake Crossing Apartment Homes could not immediately be reached by phone for comment.

The origin and cause of the fire are still unknown, Cobb fire officials told Patch Wednesday. Officials said six fire investigators from insurance companies are representing the apartment complex and some of the residents. The group will eventually examine the building together and meet with Cobb fire investigators.

Redmond and her boyfriend did not have renter's insurance as Redmond said it was not a move-in requirement at Lake Crossing. The mother of a 1-year-old and an 8-year-old, she said all her daughters had were the items they brought with them for their weekend stay elsewhere. The family is now staying with an aunt.

Edwards started a GoFundMe for Redmond and her family and as of late Thursday morning, the fundraiser had secured more than $8,300 of its $15,000 goal.

Redmond said the funding will go toward obtaining new housing, clothing, furniture for her kids' and other essentials to include diapers.

"I know that sometimes things can be worse, but it’s enough sometimes with someone just showing that they care," she said. "… I’m a firm believer in God that this is not where it ends."

Although Redmond said it is tough to start over, she holds on to her faith and is extremely grateful for any support she has received. The funds are helpful, but she said she is so appreciative of the words of encouragement shared with her.

"I’m more than grateful for Ayuna," Redmond said. "None of this would be in place if it wasn’t for her. … She was the first person that was on it before anyone."

The bond the best friends share is unbreakable. Edwards called her friendship with Redmond sacred.

"I would do anything for her," Edwards said. "This is small to me."

Edwards said the fire and the support received after the fire was an example that life can happen past loss.

"Material things come and go but the words that people say to you are a mark forever," she said "It’s not about the money. ... Life changes for people. ... When you think the impossible won’t happen, just be prepared for the impossible."