An apartment fire in Merrimac Crossing in the City of Williamsburg on Friday has displaced at least six residents.
Williamsburg Fire Department arrived on the scene at 12:01 p.m., five minutes after dispatchers received the call for the 100 block of Merrimac Trail, and the fire was under control by 12:45 p.m.
Upon arrival, units encountered heavy smoke coming from the third-floor apartment of Building 165. Firefighters battled the blaze, which reached the balcony, against significant wind, which caused some flames to roll onto the rooftop.
Six people, including children, were in the apartment that caught fire. All residents in the building — 17 people from 12 apartments at the time of the fire — were evacuated.
The Department of Human Services and Red Cross will assist displaced residents. At least six people will be displaced, said fire spokesperson Eric Stone.
Firefighters also rescued two guinea pigs.
James City County Fire Department and York County Department of Fire and Life Safety assisted.
The cause of the fire is unknown and a damage estimate has not been determined.
The investigation is ongoing.
