Evacuated residents allowed back in after fire

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Dozens of residents were forced to evacuate an apartment complex Wednesday morning after a fire in the basement sent heavy smoke through three floors of the building. Residents were allowed back in to their apartments before noon on Wednesday.

Just before 5:30 a.m., firefighters were called to the Riverview Terrace Apartments in the 1800 block of Griswold Drive north of downtown.

Fire officials told NewsChannel 15 narrow streets and vehicles blocking access points made it difficult to get fire trucks close to the building.

"They did have to detour around to get in there," Fort Wayne Assistant Fire Chief, Michael Miller, said.  "We did have to pull a little more hose to make it to the apartment building, but nothing significantly slowed us down."

Eventually, crews were able to get entry to the building and found fire in a basement storage room.

Smoke from the fire filled all three floors of the building, mainly in the hallways. Officials said dozens of residents were forced outside. A department report following the fire said 50 residents evacuated.

Paramedics took five individuals to the hospital for smoke inhalation. They were reported to be in fair condition.

The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana was called in help the displaced families.

"We alerted the team that it was possible that we would have a larger response," Katherine MacAulay, the chief operating officer of the local Red Cross chapter.

Officials also said there was a language barrier with several residents.  The Red Cross had a worker at the hospital to help close the language gap.

The apartment residents were allowed to go back inside later in the morning.

"Once the smoke was evacuated, from the structure and they determined the air quality was good, the residents were allowed back in the building," Miller said.

According to MacAulay, the residents were allowed back in around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

"Give all the credit to the firefighters," Miller said.  "They did a good size up to the building.  Found where the fire was, and got water on it very quickly.  The occupants were able to get back into their residences before the holiday."

A department report said two pets died as a result of the fire.

The building sustained minor fire damage, but some areas did have heavy smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.