HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- For the second time this week, a fire has left dozens of people without a home just before the holidays.

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An apartment complex in Hendersonville went up in flames just after midnight Thursday. Even six hours later, crews were still watching heavy smoke and monitoring hot spots.

Red Cross officials said 16 families, totaling about 40 people, were forced out by the fire.

"We don't know what to do, really ... We were lucky to get out. It just happened that fast," said fire victim Nancy Randolph.

Crews said it started in the left side of a 35-year-old building at the Wessington House Apartments on Old Shackle Island Road. As many as 16 units suffered water and smoke damage. Crews said fire damage was mostly confined to the attic.

Two people were taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center in critical condition. One person suffered smoke inhalation and another had burns.

Crews believe the fire may have started in that man's apartment. Crews at the scene said investigators were trying to talk to him at the hospital to find out what happened. The fire is believed to have begun accidentally.

The apartment complex does not have sprinklers, but fire investigators said all the units did have smoke alarms.

Only one resident had renters insurance.

Separate Fire Affected Bellevue Complex Earlier In Week

This is the second time this week fire has displaced a group of families at an apartment complex. Early Monday morning, fire destroyed several units at the Mission Ridge Apartments in Bellevue and damaged more than a dozen others.

Crews said someone cooking with hot oil was to blame for the Bellevue fire.

Related Link:

• Middle Tennessee Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund