An early morning apartment fire injured nine people and displaced approximately 34 people on the city's eastside. Six of the injured were hospitalized; three were treated and released on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters responded to the Elmwood Villa Apartments, 401 N. 28th St. after receiving several calls that an apartment building was on fire and people were trapped. When firefighters arrived on scene, heavy flames were coming out of a second story unit, extending to the third floor of the 3-story wood frame/stucco building with 12 units. Firefighters rescued a man, woman and young child from one third floor unit window after they were trapped in their apartment. Witnesses said that at least nine other people jumped from another third floor unit prior to the fire department's arrival.
Nine people were injured. Six were taken to UMC Trauma and Valley Hospital because of injuries they sustained from jumping. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation on scene and released.
Cause of the fire is under investigation. Occupants of a second story unit told investigators that they were cooking and their pan caught fire and quickly spread. The occupants left and alerted the other people in the building. Metro officers and NHP troopers who were in the area also alerted and evacuated people who were taken to Roy Martin Middle School to meet with the American Red Cross. At least 34 people are displaced.
Six units were damaged by fire and six had smoke and water damage. Damage is estimated at $500,000. 80 firefighters and 25 units responded to the 2-alarm blaze.
1st Alarm: E8,4,201, T4, R8, HR44, CB8, AR1, B1, PIO1, 6i2, 6i6, 6i11
2nd Alarm: E1,16,51, T1, R204, WT43, B4, EMS1, E203,3,7, T3,16, 108, 801, 144
