Four people and a dog were displaced after a fire damaged an apartment building Monday evening in Manhattan.
According to the Manhattan Fire Department, crews responded around 6:45 p.m. to a structure fire at 415 Walters Drive. Firefighters arrived to find flames and smoke coming from the second floor and attic of a two-story, eight-unit apartment building.
Six fire apparatus and 22 firefighters responded to the scene, bringing the fire under control within 10 minutes. Crews remained at the scene until after midnight to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and no additional hazards remained.
No people or animals were injured, and all occupants safely evacuated before firefighters arrived.
Three apartment units were deemed uninhabitable. The American Red Cross is assisting the four displaced residents and one dog.
The fire department estimated the contents loss at $40,000, with an additional $100,000 in damage to the building.
Fire officials said the blaze started on the balcony of a second-story apartment. An investigator is working to determine the exact cause, but foul play is not suspected.
“The heat index was 112 at the time of the alarm, and I am proud of the great work crews did to knock down the fire quickly despite the extreme heat,” Assistant Chief of Operations Sam Dameron said. “Thankfully, no one was injured.”
