The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire at the Fitzgerald Apartments on 6/9/16 at 11:44 pm. The apartment building is located at 1236 West Main Street next to Hardees. The first arriving unit found smoke coming from a first floor apartment in the middle of the complex. Engine 4's crew entered the apartment and was met with heavy fire, smoke, and heat. The fire was primarily in the bedroom. A back window had broken from the heat allowing the fire to reach past the second floor and enter the attic. Fire crews found fire in the attic and extinguished it.
The electricity to the entire complex was shut down for the safety of the firefighters. 32 people were displaced as a result of the fire. Several will stay with friends and family. The American Red Cross is taking care of over half of the occupants. It is not known how long the residents will be away from the apartment complex.
The DFD was on the scene for 3hours and 45 minutes. 4 engines and several support vehicles responded initially. The call was dispatched during another working fire on the northside of town. Every DFD front line apparatus was on the two fires during this time. 13 off-duty personnel were called in to assist with the fire scene and man a reserve engine. The initial dispatch sent 22 personnel to the scene.
The Fire Marshal's Office investigated the fire and determined the fire cause was an overloaded extension cord. The DFD reminds everyone to not plug large items like window A/C units into a power strip or plug multiple strips together. Please check your smoke alarms monthly to insure they are operating properly.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief
