‘We got lucky’: Survivor of Killeen apartment fire speaks on community coming to their aid

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - Several people are left with nothing after a fire broke out at an apartment complex in Killeen early Monday morning.

Schuyler Covert had been living at the Century Plaza apartments with her boyfriend for more than an year when she heard a loud banging on her door just after 1am Monday morning.

“Fire, fire, get out, get out, the buildings on fire,” Covert said. “My boyfriend was the logical one and he grabbed his keys, his wallet, and important documents first. I grabbed my cat because those are my babies.”

Now she’s just thankful they were able to grab stuff when others were not.

“We were on the opposite side,” said Covert. “So, we have water damage and all of our furniture is gone but I will say, there are families who have completely lost their homes. I’ve heard stories of from them where they watched their Christmas tree, their presents, all their lives just burn in the flames.”

Now organizations like United Way and League of United Latin American Citizens are stepping in to help by collecting donations so those affected can get back on their feet.

“We will also be making sure that these families have a Christmas,” said Mellisa Brown, Secretary for LULAC Council #4297. “A lot of them have children. A lot of the gifts that they had previously purchased have been destroyed in the fire. So, for those individuals, we’ll be getting the Christmas Trees, and we’ll be doing a separate toy drive.”

It’s help covert was not expecting.

“It’s still very surreal,” said Covert. “We’ve had family members, friends and even strangers reach out. Asking if we need food, clothes, furniture and during the lowest point of our lives. It’s been amazing because it’s restored faith, at least for me, my faith in humanity.”

Covert had to run back into the burning apartment to grab her other cat that she wasn’t able to grab on the way out.

They are just one of the families who were able to make sure their pets survived the fire.

The United Way of Central Texas is accepting physical and monetary donations. If you are interested in donating, you can donate in person at Garden of Hope in Salado or you can contact Tina with the United Way at 254-462-7712.

You can also contact LULAC #4297 for more information on how to donate through them

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