UPDATE: Fire breaks out at Park Jefferson Apartments

October 29, 2011|WSBT-TV Report

Crews had to deal with a large fire that destroyed a corner building at Park Jefferson Apartments Friday night.

The fire broke out around 9 p.m. in building 201. A WSBT reporter at the scene said firefighters had to battle the flames defensively, meaning it was too dangerous for them to be inside the building and were pulled out.

“I could see flames shooting 300 feet up in the air,” said Rebecca Williams, watching alongside fiancé David Brock, both of whom spotted the blaze from their home in the Edison Park area.

Firefighters say there are no known injuries or fatalities. The fire is out, but they will likely be at Park Jefferson for a good part of the night to make sure it stays out.

Fire officials believe it started on the east side of the building, but when they got to the scene flames were shooting out of both floors. They spread to the attic and then roof, causing it to cave in.

Although a cause won’t be determined until fire investigators can get inside and survey the damage, neighbors who watched agreed that a likely cause could involve wiring.

“Quite a few people said they heard (firefighters) say it was an electrical fire,” said one neighbor.

There have been a number of fires at Park Jefferson over the years – most recently on December 23 of last year. One person treated for smoke inhalation in that fire.

In March 2009, the clubhouse burned down, destroying apartment complex offices and several small business located inside.

A massive blaze in the Rue Gauguin section of the complex took out several apartments in April 2007, leaving the Red Cross to relocate nine families with 21 people.

People who live in the building were speechless Friday night.

“I came out and the flames were so high in the sky you couldn't see the end of it,” said Shirley Slavaugh who lives next door to the complex that was destroyed. “The flames were huge, all over, I never saw flames so much."

“I didn’t smell anything, [my neighbor] smelled smoke,” said Jason Price who lives in that complex. “I was pretty shaken up by it…I hope we can get back in, I’ve got all my stuff in there. I didn’t think it would happen to me, but it did.”

The Red Cross was at the apartment complex to help those displaced find a place to stay.

We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

Additional information provided by Jeff Harrell with the South Bend Tribune.

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