Massive oak tree crashes through Orange City apartment building, damaging 4 units
An apartment building in Orange City was heavily damaged after it was hit by a large oak tree Monday morning.
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Firefighters said they were called around 6:30 a.m. to the Whispering Oaks Apartments on Smith Street near Volusia Avenue after receiving reports that a tree crashed through the structure.
First responders said that four units sustained major damage and that several residents and animals were evacuated from them.
SEE: Large oak tree crashes through Orange City apartment building
Resident David Monagas told Channel 9 that he was walking down the stairs to leave for work when the tree fell.
“It just crashed, and I just zipped back upstairs,” he said. “The wife is already crying and all emotional. And I’m, like, ‘Let’s get out of the building, grab the doggy and let’s get outside.’”
Monagas said the tree went through his living room and dining room.
“The porch is just barely hanging on,” he said.
Evan Rocque said his brother’s apartment was among the damaged units.
“If I had stayed the night last night and been on the couch, I probably would have gotten some kind of ... injury from it,” he said.
All affected residents have been moved into vacant units at the complex.
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It is unclear when residents will be allowed to retrieve their belongings.
“I can’t go back there until I get clearance from the inspector,” Monagas said.
No injuries were reported.
Firefighters said that it does not appear that weather was a factor in the tree’s toppling. They said it might have rotted or just been old.
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