Post by engine922 on Aug 1, 2007 3:36:17 GMT -5
Courtesy of WoodTV:
KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP -- The residents of an apartment building gutted by fire are without a place to stay, but all are safe and wondering what to do next.
The blaze at the Ravine Apartments on Drake Road in Kalamazoo Township was discovered around 10 p.m. Monday, though it wasn't until daylight that most residents got a full look at the extent of the damage.
Lisa Boulding nearly sobbed when she saw the box of photos a firefighter brought to her. The fire hit so fast that no one had time to grab much, and the pictures are precious to her.
"This son is no longer with us," she told 24 Hour News 8. "My mother, my daughter who is now 9, so it's really important because I can't replace those from him. They're priceless."
Apartment managers received a call about the smell of smoke and when they walked over to the building, they saw flames shooting from the roof. The fire spread quickly across the attic.
Neighbors pounded on doors to get others out. People in 40 apartments were evacuated, then 40 more in the next building. Many watched throughout the night.
Crews from Kalamazoo Township, with assistance from crews out of the City of Kalamazoo, and Oshtemo and Texas Townships worked to put the blaze out. Fire investigators say a roof on one building did collapse.
By 1 a.m., the American Red Cross was on the scene helping displaced residents.
As daylight came, some came back to see the damage.
"There are a lot of things I'd love to get back," said office manager Julie Vandykan. "Our wedding video, that was the only copy. All my music. That's gone."
She and her family literally got out with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Theirs is one of about 30 apartments destroyed. The two- and three-bedroom units are homes to mostly families and elderly residents.
There is no electricity or water, and about 80 people are looking for a place to stay.
"I shouldn't be crying about material things that can be replaced," Vandykan said. "It could have been much worse."
Kalamazoo Township Fire Chief Ron Farr told 24 Hour News 8 investigators believe the fire was accidental. They're looking at a mechanical or electrical origin in an apartment on the third floor, in the center portion of the building.
24 Hour News 8 will have more details as events develop.
KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP -- The residents of an apartment building gutted by fire are without a place to stay, but all are safe and wondering what to do next.
The blaze at the Ravine Apartments on Drake Road in Kalamazoo Township was discovered around 10 p.m. Monday, though it wasn't until daylight that most residents got a full look at the extent of the damage.
Lisa Boulding nearly sobbed when she saw the box of photos a firefighter brought to her. The fire hit so fast that no one had time to grab much, and the pictures are precious to her.
"This son is no longer with us," she told 24 Hour News 8. "My mother, my daughter who is now 9, so it's really important because I can't replace those from him. They're priceless."
Apartment managers received a call about the smell of smoke and when they walked over to the building, they saw flames shooting from the roof. The fire spread quickly across the attic.
Neighbors pounded on doors to get others out. People in 40 apartments were evacuated, then 40 more in the next building. Many watched throughout the night.
Crews from Kalamazoo Township, with assistance from crews out of the City of Kalamazoo, and Oshtemo and Texas Townships worked to put the blaze out. Fire investigators say a roof on one building did collapse.
By 1 a.m., the American Red Cross was on the scene helping displaced residents.
As daylight came, some came back to see the damage.
"There are a lot of things I'd love to get back," said office manager Julie Vandykan. "Our wedding video, that was the only copy. All my music. That's gone."
She and her family literally got out with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Theirs is one of about 30 apartments destroyed. The two- and three-bedroom units are homes to mostly families and elderly residents.
There is no electricity or water, and about 80 people are looking for a place to stay.
"I shouldn't be crying about material things that can be replaced," Vandykan said. "It could have been much worse."
Kalamazoo Township Fire Chief Ron Farr told 24 Hour News 8 investigators believe the fire was accidental. They're looking at a mechanical or electrical origin in an apartment on the third floor, in the center portion of the building.
24 Hour News 8 will have more details as events develop.