KNOXVILLE – A fire broke out in an apartment building in Knoxville yesterday that left eight residents displaced.
According to the Knoxville Fire Department, the fire was first reported at 5:38 PM on Thursday, November 12. Firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of East Pleasant Street.
While responding, crews were advised by Marion County Dispatch that flames and smoke were visible coming from an apartment unit. Dispatch also advised that it was unknown whether all occupants had safely evacuated the building.
The Knoxville Fire Department responded with one engine company, two EMS companies, one squad company, and two command officers.
Upon arrival, crews encountered a two-story apartment building with smoke showing from the entry doors and windows on the northeast side of the structure. Due to the conditions encountered and the potential need for additional resources, a working fire assignment was requested.
Fire suppression operations began immediately, with the engine company advancing a hose line into the affected unit to initiate fire attack. Simultaneously, crews began conducting searches of the apartment building to ensure all occupants had evacuated.
Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire within approximately 10 minutes of initiating fire attack. Search crews confirmed that no occupants remained inside the apartment building. During search operations, firefighters also safely rescued two cats, one dog, and one bird from other apartment units.
After the fire was extinguished, crews completed overhaul operations in the affected unit. Crews also ventilated the building to remove smoke and other products of combustion.
As a result of the fire, eight residents were displaced from their apartments. Marion County Emergency Management is coordinating with the American Red Cross to assist affected residents with temporary shelter and other essential needs.
The apartment unit where the fire originated, along with its contents, sustained significant fire damage. The remaining apartment units experienced varying degrees of smoke and water damage.
Officials say the preliminary determination of the fire’s cause is improperly discarded smoking materials.
The Knoxville Fire Department acknowledged and thanked the following agencies and organizations for their assistance and support during this incident:
- Knoxville Police Department
- Knoxville Rural Fire Department
- Indiana Township Fire Department
- Marion County Emergency Management Agency
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch
- Pella EMS
- Alliant Energy
- MidAmerican Energy
