KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A massive fire destroyed much of an Osceola County motel early Friday, displacing more than 250 people just two days before Christmas, Osceola County Fire Rescue said.
The Unno Boutique Hotel, on East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway near Simpson Road, caught fire shortly before 4:45 a.m., firefighters said.
From Skywitness 9, crews could be seen demolishing portions of the fire-ravaged building Friday afternoon.
Videos: Flames engulf hotel | Fire chief's briefing
Yasmin Carlson, who lived in a room at the motel, said she grabbed her cat and evacuated.
"At first, I thought it was just a drill,” Carlson said. “It didn't take long for me to realize this [was] real when I saw the smoke from the opposite end of the building."
Carlson watched on as workers knocked down portions of the damaged structure.
"I don't know what's going to happen,” she said. “I just hope they can save the rest of the rooms and our last belongings.”
Gisela and Joshua Pacheco said they had just moved to the hotel in May. They said they relocated to the Kissimmee-area from Pennsylvania in search of a better life.
“It was kind of like [an] unreal kind of feeling,” Gisela Pacheco said. “Looking around, just seeing people running out little by little.”
The couple said they struggled to explain things to their children while they watched flames engulf their home and all their possessions.
“You're just sitting there, watching. There's nothing you can do” Joshua Pacheco said. “When you have thousands of dollars of property in your room -- and that's your life, that's what you've worked so hard for. It's just -- it's tough.”
Resident Angel Bonilla said he was glad he was able to safely evacuate his family, but he said that they lost everything in the fire.
"I had to grab the kids and just go," he said. “Every Christmas gift -- everything."
Kissimmee Middle School was opened as a temporary, pet-friendly shelter. County leaders said they’ll spend the next week forming a long-term plan to aid the displaced.
A section of the road was closed in the area to allow emergency personnel to battle the blaze.
The cause of the fire continues to be investigated.
The Kissimmee Utility Authority donated $5,000 to assist residents, and KUA workers pooled more than $500 to buy toys, personal hygiene kits and gift cards for the 80 displaced families.
Osceola County is accepting monetary donations to help those affected. Click here to donate.
Toys, clothes, hygiene products and shoes may be dropped off at the following locations: the Osceola Council on Aging, Kissimmee Middle School and all Osceola County fire stations.
Watch raw video of the fire below:
[ Raw video: Fire chief discusses blaze at Kissimmee hotel ]