When fire crews arrived they found heavy flames coming from a three story apartment building. Career and Volunteer firefighters from the Cave Spring, Back Creek, Clearbrook, and Vinton stations responded to the blaze as well as a Salem crew. Firefighters tried to battle the flames from inside the building, but were soon evacuated when the roof started to collapse. Crews then fought the fire from outside using hand hose lines as well as two ladder trucks. It took about two hours to get the flames under control, but there were hot spots for several more hours after that.
All 12 units have some level of fire, smoke and/or water damage.
Fire crews have accounted for all of the 18 residents who lived in the 12-unit apartment building. Firefighters were able to rescue one cat and one dog from the flames and used the department’s pet oxygen masks to help revive them. Invisible Fence donated the pet oxygen masks several years ago. Another cat was brought out by its owner. Reportedly, there are several cats unaccounted for.
An apartment representative who was in the complex management office called 9-1-1 to report the fire.
No injuries have been reported to either residents or firefighters.
Red Cross was notified and sent nine representatives to the scene to facilitate fire disaster services for the displaced residents.