HAMPTON, Va. - Hampton Fire-Rescue said an apartment building that caught fire early Friday morning and sent several people to the hospital, including eight firefighters, did not have a sprinkler system or an integrated alarm system.
It all happened around 1:30 a.m. at the Township in Hampton Woods Apartments in the 200 block of Marcella Road. Fire officials said due to the building's age, sprinkler or fire alarm systems were not required or present. However, smoke alarms alerted people who were in the apartment where the fire started.
Officials said the cause is still under investigation but "does not appear to be malicious."
Firefighters said a woman and a child had moderate to severe thermal injuries. They were flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where they remained Friday afternoon.
Two other residents were taken to Sentara CarePlex Hospital for smoke inhalation.
In addition, Eight Hampton firefighters had to be treated for burn injuries, according to the fire department. Three went to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with moderate thermal/burn injuries. Five others went to Sentara CarePlex for minor burn injuries. As of Friday afternoon, all firefighters had been released from the hospital and are expected to return to work in the next two to 10 days.
Fire officials said a total of 24 apartment units were impacted—12 had water damages and roofs collapsed, and another 12 were a total loss. As many as 50 people are without a home. The apartment's management team and the American Red Cross were working to assist the residents.
"It's very difficult for the firefighters on the scene, but everybody stayed very focused on the task. We did gather up the officers to brief them on the condition of our people and the two civilians that were transported so they could disseminate that information to the crews. I imagine we will be debriefing with our crews over the next day to make sure to check in on their mental status, make sure everybody is OK," Hampton Fire-Rescue Safety Officer Scott Doggette told News 3.
Several agencies assisted the Hampton Fire Department.
