35 Green Bay residents in Red Cross shelter after Tuesday apartment fire

Doug Schneider, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·2 min read

GREEN BAY - More than 30 people were in a Red Cross shelter Tuesday, after a smoky 8:08 p.m. fire at an apartment complex on Green Bay's east side.

The first crews on scene at August Manor Apartments, a two-story complex at 1830 August St., Green Bay, used ladders to evacuate at least five residents of second-floor apartments.

Several callers to 911 said heavy smoke in the hallway made it impassable, so they needed rescue.

In another rescue, firefighters had to break into an apartment to alert a resident who they later discovered was sleeping with earbuds in, said Lt. Nick Craig, speaking for the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.

Two people suffered minor injuries. A firefighter reported smoke inhalation, and a second person was treated at a city hospital for an undisclosed injury, Craig said.

The scene Tuesday night as Green Bay Metro firefighters rescue residents of the August Manor apartment complex on the city's east side.
The scene Tuesday night as Green Bay Metro firefighters rescue residents of the August Manor apartment complex on the city's east side.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter for approximately 35 residents displaced by the fire at Trinity Lutheran Church, 330 S Broadway, Green Bay. Volunteers and staff are providing food and connecting affected residents with health services and other essentials, said Jen Warren, regional communications director for the Red Cross's Wisconsin Region.

Damage is estimated at $250,000, Craig said. Fire officials said it appears the blaze started in the basement, though it wasn't immediately clear what caused it. Firefighters needed roughly 40 minutes to control the fire.

It's unclear when residents will be able to safely return to their apartments, Craig said.

Anyone affected by the fire who needs assistance is urged to call the Red Cross at 1-833-583-3111.

Craig said many residents of the building were alerted by working smoke detectors in public areas of the building. He reminds residents they should have smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors in their units, and make certain the batteries are working. He also cautions against sleeping with earbuds in.

Email Doug Schneider at DSchneid@Gannett.com, call him at (920) 599-0809 and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @PGDougSchneider.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay apartment fire leaves 35 residents in Red Cross shelter