18 children, four adults homeless after fire destroys building at Ocala apartment complex
Four families are homeless on Sunday after a fire spread through an Ocala apartment complex leaving the building uninhabitable, according to Ocala Fire Rescue.
Fire crews responded to the fire around 7:49 p.m. on Saturday at The Morgan apartment complex, located at 1421 SW 27th Avenue.
When crews arrived, they discovered smoke and flames coming from the front and rear of a second-story building on the west side of the complex.
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According to fire officials, crews entered through the second-floor unit’s front door - spraying water on the fire within two minutes of arrival - while other crews cleared the neighboring unit where two minors were thought to be entrapped.
Additional crews secured hose lines toward the rear of the building, beginning a fire attack targeting the flames on the porch from the exterior.
A primary search of the apartment beneath the fire unit was completed and a second water source and assisted with the fire attack.
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The fire was knocked down by 8:02 p.m.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
As a result of the fire, smoke, and water damage, four units (the fire unit, the two units underneath, and the one beside it) were deemed uninhabitable, leaving four adults and 18 children without a home.
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Requests for assistance on behalf of each of the four families to the American Red Cross are underway.
Channel 9 has a crew on the way and will bring you the latest updates during out noon newscast.
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