UPDATE: Victim dies after Florence apartment building fire

FLORENCE, Ala. — A woman has died after a Friday fire at the Courtview Towers Apartments in Florence.

One of the people injured in an early Friday fire in Florence has died.

Eva Crittendon, 65, died from her injuries suffered in the Courtview Towers fire. Her husband also had minor injuries, according to Florence Fire Chief Tim Anerton. 

 

More than 200 people evacuated and left out in the cold without a place to go after a fire broke out at the Courtview Towers apartment building in Florence early this morning.

American Red Cross Leaders and the University of North Alabama (UNA) opening their doors to displaced residents.

Together, they transformed UNA's Mane Room on Florence Street into an overnight shelter.

The North Alabama American Red Cross Executive Director, Khris Anderson, says they are looking for more permanent solutions, as residents grow more frustrated and upset.

"No one is exempt from having a home fire and being exactly in this position that these people are in," continued Anderson, "That's really what we're looking for now - a place where we can take people and make them a little bit more comfortable and get ready to house them down until they're ready to go home."

In a group meeting, Anderson and other Red Cross leaders say they'll continue to help until the apartment complex re-opens or until everyone finds a place to go.

Residents like Mackenzie Heaton say they still can't believe this is happening.

"I didn't know what to think," continued Heaton, "Usually when the fire alarms goes off, it's nothing more than somebody burning their tea or something. We walked out the apartment and it was just engulfed in flames."

Florence Fire Chief Tim Anerton says they're investigating what caused the fire.

He says they don't suspect foul play at this time, but doesn't expect the apartment building to re-open until at least next week.

Two people are injured and hospitalized.

The fire chief says one woman is in critical condition at UAB Hospital in Birmingham.