Video: Carolyn Campbell's 11 News report

HOUSTON -- A raging apartment fire destroyed 24 units at a complex in northwest Harris County Friday afternoon.

The 2-alarm fire started at the Town Lake apartments on Timbercreek and Highway 6 just after 2 p.m.

Almost immediately, thick black smoke could be seen rising above the buildings from a distance and ferocious flames engulfed the third story and roof.

Flames spread quickly from unit to unit because there were no firewalls in the attic.

But ironically, the factor that was the most problematic was water.

The complex sits on a lake, which prevented firefighters from getting to the back of the building where the fire started.

Four volunteer fire departments responded to the call, including Cy-Fair, Jersey Village, Westlake and West I-10.

Firefighters were still on the scene late into the afternoon, putting out hotspots.

As the apartments burned, groups of residents gathered outside, helpless but to watch their homes go up in smoke.

“We lost everything – baby furniture, clothes, chairs, pictures … pretty much everything. Everything we ever worked for,” Keaneria Vigilant said.

Though the property losses were great, no one was seriously injured.

Two firefighters suffered minor heat exhaustion, and two residents were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Residents whose homes were destroyed were waiting on the Red Cross to arrive and hopefully help them with relocation.