Apartment Fire Displaces 25 Residents, Damages 16 Units in Arlington

No injuries reported as firefighters battled the three-alarm blaze.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A three-alarm apartment fire in Arlington, Texas damaged 16 units of a residential building on Monday afternoon, displacing 25 people, including 5 children. Firefighters were called to the scene at 1:34 pm after reports of the fire, and a third alarm was called when the blaze broke through the roof. The fire was brought under control about 20 minutes after the first unit arrived, but one resident, Sam Semi, narrowly avoided serious injury and lost all of his belongings in the fire.

Why it matters

Apartment fires can have devastating impacts on local communities, displacing residents and causing significant property damage. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and emergency response protocols in densely populated residential areas.

The details

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they observed a large column of smoke and requested a second alarm for additional resources. After the fire broke through the roof, a third alarm was called to bring more personnel and equipment. The blaze was brought under control about 20 minutes after the first unit arrived. Resident Sam Semi said he was returning home when the fire broke out and narrowly avoided serious injury, but his apartment was among those destroyed, and he lost all of his belongings.

  • The fire was reported at 1:34 pm on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The fire was brought under control about 20 minutes after the first unit arrived on the scene.

The players

Arlington Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to and battled the three-alarm apartment fire.

Sam Semi

A resident of the Oak Chase Apartments who narrowly avoided serious injury and lost all of his belongings in the fire.

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What they’re saying

“I was just walking into my apartment. As I unlocked my door a big blaze of smoke shot out at my face. I turned around.”

— Sam Semi, Resident (wfaa.com)

“It's a big loss but one thing about it, I'm still here. All the materialistic stuff, we can get that back.”

— Sam Semi, Resident (wfaa.com)

What’s next

The American Red Cross has been notified and is assisting displaced residents with temporary housing and support services.

The takeaway

This apartment fire serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness in densely populated residential areas. While the material losses can be devastating, the fact that no injuries were reported is a testament to the quick response and professionalism of the Arlington Fire Department.