A small electrical fire at the Applewood Apartments on Hillside Road around noon Thursday displaced about two dozen residents. Above, Oak Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief Marty Griffith talks to residents. (Photos by Tom Scott)
A small electrical fire at the Applewood Apartments on Hillside Road around noon Thursday displaced about two dozen residents, authorities said.
The fire was caused by an electrical short in the main power supply leading into the distribution system in the basement of a building at 184 Hillside Road, Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said.
The fire at the basement fuse box was quickly extinguished with an extinguisher, ORFD Battalion Chief Marty Griffith said. He said a circuit breaker did its job, turning off power and minimizing damage.
Oak Ridge firefighters used an extinguisher to put out an electrical fire in a basement fuse box at an Applewood Apartments building at 184 Hillside Road.
Kerley said the 10-unit building will be without power for the next several days, and occupants had to be relocated. He said eight of the 10 apartments were occupied by about 25 residents, including several children. The American Red Cross is helping them find temporary shelter and could consider opening a designated shelter if other arrangements are not immediately available.
Griffith said repairs will have to made by a certified electrician, and the city will have to reinspect the system.
“I’d be surprised if it happens today,” Griffith said early Thursday afternoon.
Kerley said one apartment sustained light smoke damage, but there was no other structural damage to the building. There also were no injuries and no damage to personal property or food.
“No other assistance (is) needed at this time,” Kerley said in a press release.
The fire was caused by an electrical short in the main power supply leading into the distribution system in the basement of a building at 184 Hillside Road, Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said.
The fire at the basement fuse box was quickly extinguished with an extinguisher, ORFD Battalion Chief Marty Griffith said.
Kay Williamson says
When your blocks away doing a FEED THE NEED, A couple of us left and ran up to Applewood and assured the residents we had plenty of food right around the corner, then we boxed some up and took to them, I think god somehow put us there for them,,,
johnhuotari says
Glad you were able to help, Kay.
Kay Williamson says
john, it wasn’t just me, the whole gang of volunteers are the real hero’s and all the people that made it possible on that day….