DONNA - An early morning fire left seven families without a home.

The occupants of the apartments said they never imagined this would happen, especially so close to Christmas.

Apartment residents were woken up to flames and smoke Sunday morning.

"We received a structure fire call at 5:27 this morning," said Chief Simmons.

Donna Fire Chief, David Simmons, says a total of seven apartments located on the corner of N 5th street and Reid avenue were destroyed in the fire.

"Everybody got out safe. That was the important thing," said Chief Simmons.

One of those people is Jerry Young.

He's lived in these apartments for four years with his wife and dogs.

"I had time enough to get my wife up out of bed and the dogs out," said Young.

Except for one of their dogs that died in the fire.

"My little dog, and I went on my hands and knees, but the smoke got so thick. When I got to my bedroom door, it was so hot I had to just crawl back out of the apartment," said Young.

Young said he and his neighbors lost everything, including their Christmas trees and presents.

"We lost everything...everything. We had no....our neighbors here across the street gave us some shoes and jacket this morning," said Young.

He said even though the seven families lost everything in the fire, they are grateful everyone is alive.

"We just hope that nothing else like this happens to anybody," said Young.

Now they're left wondering where they'll call home, next.

The Red Cross was on hand to help everyone affected in this fire.

Donna fire officials tell us the cause of the fire is under investigation.