HAMPTON, Va. - Two dozen people have been forced out of their home after a fire damaged their apartments Monday afternoon.
At 12:18 p.m., firefighters with the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue responded to a report of an apartment fire in the 2100 block of Kecoughtan Road. When units arrived on scene, they reported smoke coming from the third floor apartments.
Crews immediately began searching the apartments to make sure all residents were out of the building and accounted for. Firefighters initially made an interior fire attack, but later switched to an exterior attack due to the extensive fire in the attic.
The department called a second alarm to provide extra resources so crews could put out the fire more quickly. The fire was contained and extinguished in about 40 minutes.
Fire officials say the third floor of the complex suffered heavy fire damage, including smoke and water damage throughout the other 12 apartments that were affected.
One person was treated and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The American Red Cross is helping 20 residents who will be displaced by the fire. The Community Risk Reduction Branch is currently looking into what caused the fire.
The department is reminding people that smoke alarms save lives. Click here to learn more about their smoke alarm program for residents.
