By Casey Nolen
St. Louis (KSDK) -- Less than 24 hours after they escaped their burning building, a few of the Midtown fire victims went back in to grab what they could salvage Wednesday.
Lindell Apartments' staff escorted small groups of residents inside in the section of the building with the least damage. The tenants had just about five minutes inside the building. Fire alarms were still going off and many rooms smelled of smoke and were filled with water.
"You know my heart breaks as I drive down Lindell as I see 3rd 4th floors that have just collapsed in to each other," said Samantha Sipple whose apartment didn't burn but was badly damaged by water and smoke.
"I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to be able to make it back inside to save something, anything -- pictures, jewelry, whatever I can get my hands on I will take."
Building management cut checks for residents, too, returning July's rent and deposits.
KSDK