The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire at Heritage Towers on South Ridge Street at 7:00 pm tonight. The first arriving unit arrived in 3 minutes and reported nothing showing. Circling the building showed smoke coming from a second floor window and smoke in the common area. Firefighters reported smoke in the hallways of the second floor. Occupants advised the person that lived in the fire apartment was still inside. Firefighters entered the apartment and found a small amount of fire that was generating the smoke. The fire was quickly extinguished. The occupant was still in the apartment. She was carried out to the stairwell and then down to the first floor. The Danville Life Saving Crew checked on the patient. She did not wish to be transported.
Engine companies assisted 24 occupants from the second floor down to the first floor. All patients were assisted down the steps due to the elevators not being available due to the fire. All apartments were checked for occupants and cleared of smoke. Firefighters also checked the third and fourth floors for smoke. Most residents of the upper two floors elected to stay. Those that did not were assisted down to the first floor.
Fire personnel spent much of the time clearing smoke from the second floor. The Fire Marshal's Office investigated and found the cause to be a cigarette that had been dropped onto a pillow. After clearing smoke from the building, occupants were allowed to return on the elevators to all floors. DFD personnel were stationed on each floor to insure all residents were able to get in their rooms safely. The occupant of the fire apartment will be staying with a friend.
The DFD remained on scene for one hour and forty-two minutes. Four engines, 2 ladders, and 6 support vehicles responded. 28 personnel were on the scene. The Danville Life Saving Crew responded with 4 ambulances and 2 support vehicles. They triaged five occupants on the scene. No one required transport. 16 DLSC personnel were on the scene. The DPD assisted with traffic control.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief