(MURFREESBORO) At 11:04 Friday night, 911 received a fire at 1540 PLACE apartments on New Lascassas Pike, First units on-the-scene reported heavy smoke and flames billowing from the attic of the three-story apartments. In freezing temperatures, about twenty residents were forced into the cold.
Firefighters aboard Ladder 8 was first on scene and arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the attic of a third-floor apartment. Additional units were dispatched to the scene, including Ladder 4, Ladder 6, Rescue 1, Rescue 4, Engine 3 and Engine 7. Firefighters began an aggressive offensive attack on the fire, but exited the structure for safety reasons. Fire crews used a master stream from a ladder truck to extinguish the fire.
Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Acting Battalion Chief David Sloan said, "The wind played a factor in fanning the fire, but firefighters did an exceptional job extinguishing the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings."
Members of the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department and Murfreesboro Police Department went door-to-door evacuating residents as fire consumed the building.
Chief Sloan continued, "We kept a watch on fire personnel as a precaution, due to the low temperatures."
The 12-unit complex sustained extensive fire and water damage. There were no reported injuries. Murfreesboro Electric workers turned off the electricity to the building, which is inhabitable.
Volunteers with the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross were called to the scene to help 22 displaced residents.
The fire is under investigation by the fire marshal's office. NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed.
