NORFOLK — Eighteen people are displaced following a fire that destroyed an apartment building here Wednesday night.
Norfolk Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Harry Worley said crews were sent to the 700 block of West 27th Street at around 6:40 p.m.
“On arrival they found fire on the outside of the building in the rear,” Worley said. “As they started extinguishing the fire, fire was also spotted in a bedroom on the first floor and second floor.”
Worley said the blaze continued to the attic. A second alarm was called at that time.
Fire has broken through the roof. pic.twitter.com/LpHCLCBo1X
— Norfolk Fire-Rescue (@norfolkfireresc) October 3, 2018
“As the firefighting continued, it became apparent that for the safety of the personnel, all firefighters were ordered out and the fire was attacked with large streams,” Worley said. “After knocking the fire down and with the roof now collapsed, the decision was made to call the building inspector out for an emergency demolition.”
The Red Cross has provided shelter for the displaced residents. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
