Second fire victim dies

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A second person has died from injuries suffered last Friday in a fire at the Willows of Coventry apartment complex. 18-year old Renea Patton of Ottawa, Ohio was a veterinary student at the International Business College in Fort Wayne.

On Monday, 19-year old Jennifer L. Spurgeon of Winimac died as the result of smoke inhalation according to Allen County Coroner E. John Brandenberger, MD.  Spurgeon was also a veterinary student at the International Business College in Fort Wayne.  A third victim who was a roommate of Spurgeon and Patton remains hospitalized. 

"We continue to keep those girls in our thoughts and prayers. We are mindful of them and are hopeful," said Douglas Hastings, a spokesman for Dial Equities Inc., the property management group for the Willows of Coventry.

Fort Wayne fire investigators have not yet determined with started the fire. Until then, managers said the residents at the Willows are the top priority.

"Our goal is to continue to work at maintaining a safe environment for our residents here and we believe the Willows of Coventry does that," said Hastings.

On Friday, firefighters responded to 5163 Coventry Parkway just after 5:00 a.m.

"[When crews arrived] there were flames coming out of a window and the roof," Fort Wayne Fire Department Spokeswoman Susan Banta said.

Firefighters immediately worked to hold the fire back while other firefighters got everyone out.

There were 53 people in the building. The other 50 people all got out safely.

"Then we started an aggressive interior attack," Banta said.

Extra crews from FWFD were called to help fight the two alarm fire. At one point at least six engine trucks and two ladder trucks were on the scene. It was ruled under control just before seven.

The building where the fire happened was a dormitory for International Business College. All the people living in the building are students.

"I heard a lot of banging at the door. There's a fire, get out, get out," Stephanie Snay said.

Snay's apartment was close to the one on fire.

"The fire, you could feel it when you walked out. It was hot," Snay said.

Chris Neff also goes to International Business College and lives in the building next to the one that caught on fire.

"I'm very thankful the fire department kept [the fire] to one building," Neff said.

The apartment complex is providing shelter for all the students displaced from the fire and the Red Cross is providing food, clothing, medications and toiletries.

"[The students] are all in shock. A lot are depressed because a lot of their stuff is damaged and destroyed," Neff said.

It's not clear yet how much damage the fire caused, but it was contained to one building.