UPDATE (April 8, 2022):
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Investigators in Fort Wayne are blaming cigarette butts for an apartment fire last weekend that left 50 people looking for a new place to live.
The Fort Wayne Fire Department says last Saturday’s fire at the Hunt Club Apartments has been ruled an accident but said the blame goes to whoever didn’t put out their cigarettes.
No one was hurt in the fire.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Over 50 people had to evacuate their homes after a fire broke out in an apartment at Hunt Club off Illinois Road.
The FWFD says it took about 40 firefighters to put out the fire on Saturday night.
The Fort Wayne Fire Department said crews responded at 9:21 p.m. and found “advanced fire conditions” pushing out of the top two floors and roof of one of the apartment buildings
Crews arrived with six engines and three ladder trucks and said they got the fire under control in about 40 minutes.
No injuries were reported in the fire. The Red Cross is now assisting some of the residents.
The FWFD released the following:
An initial 911 call from the 1000 block of Steeplechase Ct of the Hunt Club Apartments alerted dispatchers to a structure fire there. Followed quickly by many more calls reporting an apartment fire, the first FWFD units arrive within 2 minutes of dispatch to find advanced fire conditions pushing out of the top two floors and roof. The response was quickly upgraded to a second alarm fire bringing a total of 6 engines, 3 ladder trucks and approximately 40 firefighters to the scene.
First arriving units confirmed the evacuation of 12 apartments at 7515 Saddleback Ct and attacked the fire. Fort Wayne Police Dept officers helped other fire crews verify the complete evacuation of the 12 apartments in the attached address of 7525 Saddleback Ct. A coordinated attack from all 4 sides and aerials master streams from above brought the fire under control 40 minutes after arrival. This effort contained the heavy fire damage almost exclusively to the 7515 Saddleback unit.
This action saving, with relatively minor damage, the entire 7525 Saddleback unit. With assistance from Hunt Club staff, all occupants were accounted for safely outside the building. 23 of the 24 units were rented out at the time and over 50 residents were all safely outside. Two cats and an assortment of other small pets were brought out by firefighters. No injuries were reported to occupants or responders. The Red Cross was on-scene to assist any occupants not able to find a place to stay. FWFD crews will remain on scene through the night for overhaul and firewatch. The FWFD was assisted by The FWPD, AEP, NIPSCO, TRAA, NCE and the Red Cross.
