Elkhart apartment fire injures two firefighters and displaces dozens of tenants

 

ELKHART, Ind. -- Just before 3:00pm, Wednesday, Elkhart firefighters were called out to the Avalon Woods Apartments, where several second-story units were burning. 

“Rescue Four was the first on scene," said Elkhart Fire Inspector Joseph Wisniewski. "They made an attack on the fire along with the truck company. They searched all of the apartments to make sure nobody was still inside. All of the apartments were clear, as far as people.”

Two firefighters were sent to the hospital after battling the blaze-- though luckily their injuries were not serious. 

“One was exhaustion, the other was breathing related," said Wisniewski. "They were both already treated at the hospital and released. They’ll be going home for the rest of the night.”

While fire investigators are still working to determine how many units were affected, and what started the fire, residents were thankful that everyone got out safely. 

“Scary—that’s how I can describe it. Scary," said tenant Tiara Davis, who came back the apartments to see them on fire. “There’s people who were here at the time of the fire that didn’t even know!”

Including some furry friends--

“We did find a couple animals but they all made it out okay," Wisniewski said. 

“My dog was in his crate, you know? It’s like, it’s very scary, but I’m glad everyone got out safe,” said Davis.

Tenants were not allowed to return to their units until the investigation wrapped up-- meaning they had to seek out a place to stay overnight. 

Luckily, Davis told me that she was able to book a hotel room for herself and her dog, Prince. 

“I’m not going to a hotel if my dog can’t come!" she said. "He’s my baby. He’s had a rough day already.”