You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 6:07 p.m.

Fire causes heavy damage to Ann Arbor apartment

By Ronald Ahrens

A fire severely damaged an apartment this morning in south Ann Arbor, but the apartment’s resident and as many as 50 of her neighbors from surrounding units were evacuated without injuries.

Responding to the 11:06 a.m. call, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the garden apartment in the 600 block of Hidden Valley Drive, said Ann Arbor Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Baldwin.

A crew of six firefighters extinguished the flames with water from a single hose, but all the apartment’s contents were lost.

Baldwin said evacuating the neighbors was a greater challenge than putting out the fire. All six available Ann Arbor units were called to the scene to assist.

Some of the surrounding apartments suffered smoke damage.

No injuries were reported. Firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes.

The Washtenaw County Red Cross is helping the apartment’s resident find temporary lodging. It wasn’t known if other residents were displaced.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Comments

ronaldduck

Sun, Jan 31, 2010 : 2:27 a.m.

The article say's all six available Ann Arbor units were used. Makes you wonder if they will be able to do their job properly and safely after they have 14 firefighters layed off by the city come July 1st. If all available units were at this fire whose covering the rest of the city in the meantime?