PRINCETON, IN (WFIE) -
The Princeton Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at the Lincoln Center Apartments.
Now, nearly 20 of the complex's residents have been displaced and are currently housed at the Gibson County Red Cross.
Residents 14 News spoke to Saturday say that they are still a little traumatized as a result of the fire, but they also say they are just happy to have escaped with their lives.
The Princeton Fire Department says the call came at about 2:30 Saturday morning. Amanda Kirkman is one of the residents at Lincoln Center, and she says she's the one who dialed 911.
"I was staying up, talking to a friend and I was listening to music, and I couldn't tell whether the sound was coming from my stereo. And all the sudden you hear this loud noise, and I realized it's a fire," Kirkman told 14 News.
Kirkman says the complex's hallway was filled with smoke and the only way to get out of the building was through a window. She did this successfully and then saw one brave man risk his life to save others.
"You talk about heroes and you hear about it, but it's different when you actually see it," she said.
"I'm not a hero. I just had to do what I had to do," said Andrew Ellis, who rescued eight people from the fire.
Ellis, 23, says his mother lives in the building and that he was staying the night there with his daughter.
When he realized the severity of the situation, he says he knew he had to save the handicapped residents who live there.
"So, we crawled out the window, out her back window. And then as soon as I knew they were safe, I just started going from window to window man, breaking them out," Ellis recalled.
Ellis says he was able to rescue eight people from the building, none of whom could walk. Those who witnesses this selfless act are now calling Ellis a hero.
"He's a true hero. I mean, it was amazing. It was amazing how he went in there," said Kirkman.
"I ain't gonna let nobody die on my watch. I can't have that on my conscience. You know?" Ellis told 14 News.
Princeton fire crews saved an additional three people from the building, and no one was seriously injured in the fire.
Ellis says that he is especially happy he was there, since one of the residents he saved was his mother.
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Red Cross is helping out the residents of Lincoln Center Apartments on E. Walnut.
