A fire that tore through a condo complex in Archdale on Sunday left more than 20 people displaced and six units destroyed, reducing almost everything to ashes.
Among the devastation, one object remained unscathed—a Quran belonging to Umar Khan, a resident whose home was destroyed in the blaze, WFMY News reported.
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The fire broke out at the West Brook Condominiums, consuming everything from furniture to clothing across the six affected units. Fortunately, all residents escaped unharmed, a silver lining amid the destruction.
“I smelled something burning,” said Khan, a native of Pakistan who immediately knew something was wrong.
Glancing out his bedroom window, he noticed smoke rising and sprang into action. He quickly evacuated his family and alerted his neighbors, ensuring their safety.
“I kept kicking on the door and woke them up,” Khan recounted. “I took them out—everyone. My neighbor has four kids and her parents, so I got all of them out, and we were outside together.”
Amy Reid, whose mother lives in a nearby unit, witnessed the chaos unfold.
“At first, I thought my windows were dirty, but then I saw smoke coming from my mom’s building,” she said. “I called 911 immediately.”
The Guil-Rand and High Point Fire Departments worked for hours to contain the fire, which left the complex in ruins.
Quran Miracle
Khan later returned to his charred home, where nearly everything was reduced to rubble. However, a remarkable discovery awaited him: his Quran remained untouched, shielded by a blackened dresser.
“That’s the holy book—the Quran,” Khan said, expressing a mix of relief and gratitude. Despite the loss of his possessions, he remains thankful for what truly matters.
“I really feel bad, but I feel good, too. I saved my family and others. We’re sad, but we’re safe. We can replace things, but not lives,” he reflected.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meanwhile, the Red Cross is providing assistance to displaced families, including temporary shelter and food.