17 Children, 20 Adults Forced Out Of Apartments In Dorchester Fire

DORCHESTER (CBS) - Thirty seven people - 17 children and 20 adults - were forced out of their homes early Friday morning when a fire swept through their apartment building in Dorchester.

Flames broke out just after 6 a.m. at back of the three-story house on Stanley Street and quickly spread to the attic.

"The damage is in the back. And on the right side has some exposure damage, but no fire to the exposure building," said Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey.

Fire officials are crediting Shawn Elliott, who lived on the third floor of the building, for getting everybody out safely. She immediately woke up everyone up after realizing there was a fire.

"I was screaming, 'I don't care, everybody get out, get out, get out.' They didn't know where the fire was at. But we made it," said Elliott.

Despite the damage to the apartment building, Elliott is thankful that everyone, including her grandchildren, escaped safely.

"We had a lot of kids. Every floor had kids. So, we're grateful," said Elliott. "We all made it out, so I'm glad."

The commissioner said there were no serious injuries. Damage is estimated at $1 million.

It's not clear yet how the fire started.