The fire broke out around 6:15 on Monday evening and quickly spread throughout the entire building at 2100 Summit Loop Road. Roughly 70 people are without a home as a result of the fire.
Morrisville Fire Department Chief Thomas Dooley said the building is a total loss, but added that no loss of life is a miracle.
Morrisville apartment fire started on a first-floor balcony
"The work that we were able to accomplish tonight was just nothing short of amazing," he said. "We saved some lives yesterday."
Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley thanked the work of not just Morrisville's first responders, but the mutual aid provided by Cary and Apex firefighters.
"Between multiple agencies. 22 trucks, three ladders in the air covering three sides of the building, over 50 fire personnel, fire engines deploying hoses, and large EMS response, all with the common goal of saving lives," he said.
First responders treated at least six people; five with smoke-related injuries and one was transported to UNC Hospital for burns.
Town officials read a statement from the property management, Camden, during the news conference.
Property staffers thanked the work of first responders from Cary, Apex, and Morrisville who fought the flames.
"A devastating fire occurred in our community last night. We are deeply grateful for the swift response of Morrisville, Cary, Apex, and Wake County firefighters and Wake County EMS, who worked tirelessly to protect our residents.
"Our focus remains on the safety and well-being of impacted residents, including those we believe needed to be treated by medical staff. Meetings are underway with residents to relocate them to available apartments in Camden Westwood and neighboring Camden communities. We are gathering a list of immediate needs for residents, and we'll share this information to begin collecting donations at our community offices across all Camden communities in the Raleigh metro area.
"We are also making a donation to Neighbor Up and providing financial assistance to those impacted directly by the fire."
The Red Cross has also stepped in to help those affected by the fire.
Dooley said they believe the fire started on the balcony outside a first-floor apartment and said the wind contributed to the fire's spreading so quickly.
"It burned up outside on the outside of the structure, got into this crawl space and into the attic space," he said. "And then with that wind being in the perfect direction for this fire, it pushed it through the attic space."
ABC11 captured video of state fire marshals and other fire investigators outside of that apartment. Firefighters rescued a woman who was inside that unit when the fire broke out. They said she's still in the hospital.
Neighbors shared doorbell video with ABC11 showing the moments they left their homes and walked into a cloud of heavy black smoke.
Manoj Mallidi said he and his pregnant wife moved from Arizona a few months ago and were just starting their life here.
"I was so worried that there wouldn't be a way out because there was smoke all like in the hallway," he said.
Mallidi shared video from inside their home of the moment the fire broke out, where smoke can be seen pouring into their apartment.
"We thought we were finally settling down. We invited our parents as well to visit here. We are trying to set up all the furniture and all the stuff, and trying to get settled down. And then this happened," said Mallidi.
ABC11 reached out to the property owners, Camden, about the fire safety measures in place at the complex. They have yet to return the request for comment. Town spokesperson Erin Hudson said Monday night that the building did have sprinklers.
ABC11 also spoke with Morrisville officials, who are looking into a request for the most recent fire safety reports for the apartments.
Anyone wishing to donate resources to those affected by the fire can contact Westwood@CamdenLiving.com or reach out to (919) 462-0029 for more details.