COLUMBUS, Ind. – An early-morning Thursday fire at the Williamsburg Apartments displaced 10 residents and sent one adult male to the hospital for suspected smoke inhalation.
Investigators said the fire started on a third floor balcony and investigators believe the cause may be linked to improperly discarded smoking materials, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
At approximately 4:05 a.m. Thursday, Columbus firefighters and Columbus Township Fire Department were called to 2715 Williamsburg Court, for a report of an apartment fire at a three-story multi-family apartment complex.
When firefighters arrived,, they found heavy fire showing from a third floor balcony with fire also visible on a second floor balcony, Wilson said. Firefighters quickly initiated an exterior fire attack from the street level and applied a water stream on to both the second and third floor wooden deck balconies. The application on water knocked down the flames that were visible from the exterior. While additional firefighters and apparatus continued to arrive on the scene, the initial fire attack crew transitioned into the apartment building.
As firefighters advanced a fire hose to the upper levels of the apartment building’s interior, firefighters discovered that some of the building occupants were still in their apartments. Firefighters alerted all occupants of the fire danger and all occupants were safely evacuated from the building by firefighters.
One adult male occupant, who resided in the third floor apartment where the fire was believed to have originated, was assessed for smoke inhalation and transported to the hospital in stable condition, Wilson said.
Arriving in the apartment of origin, firefighters found that the fire had been extinguished before flames could extend into the apartment’s living space. Believing that the flames may have entered the space between the exterior and interior walls, firefighter began the process of overhaul, which often includes removing portions of the drywall, ceilings and flooring in an effort to identify hidden fire or fire damage. While overhaul was initiated, additional firefighters began a process called salvage, which includes moving or protecting undamaged property as fire operations continue.
Firefighters moved furniture, and personal property away from the area where drywall removal and additional water application was taking place, Wilson said. Firefighters did find evidence that the flames were dangerously close to breaching the interior walls and entering the interior living space prior to the extinguishment efforts. Confirming that the fire was completely out, fire investigators began an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Columbus Fire Department investigators suspect the fire originated on a third story balcony, and found evidence the fire was likely attributed to improperly discarded smoking materials left on the wooden balcony of the third floor apartment, Wilson said.
Investigators believe that the early morning fire went undetected for an unknown period of time before the flames and burning debris moved to the wooden balcony below. While that majority of fire damage was isolated to the wooden decks, investigators said that the building’s brick façade prevented further damage on the interior of the apartments.
Damage to the interior of the building was isolated to the second story and third story apartments as a result of overhaul, as well as water damage caused during the extinguishment. Investigators have ruled the fire as accidental in nature. All apartments contained working smoke alarms.
The building contained six apartments, five of which were occupied. Three families were permitted to return to their apartments at the conclusion of the investigation. Two apartments were deemed uninhabitable as a result of damage. A total of seven adults and three children are among those displaced.
The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are providing emergency services to the families involved. Agencies that assisted at the scene include Columbus Township Fire and Rescue, Columbus Police Department and Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Services. Damage to the building is estimated at $30,000.
SAFETY TIP
The Columbus Fire Department cares about the safety of our community members and we would like to provide these tips for safely discarding smoking materials: If you smoke, place butts in a large, deep, non-tip ashtray. Never place ashtrays on furniture. Dip discarded butts in water to make sure they are completely out before disposing. Empty an ashtray often. Consider discarding smoking material into an aluminum can or paint can as long as the container is made of non-combustible material. Never store discarded smoking material containers near combustible materials. Never discard cigarettes from a vehicle as this can cause a vegetation fire.
