Fire Leaves Dozens Homeless in Fergus - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Tuesday night an explosion and fire rocked Sunrise Apartments in Fergus Falls. The Sunrise Apartments are located on North Union at Fir Avenue. The closest landmark is the nearby Stop 'n Go. Fergus Falls Fire Chief Mark Hovland says one person, who was wheelchair bound, could not escape and died in the fire.

 

Hovland says another person was hurt when he tried to re-enter the burning apartment and was taken to the hospital and is being treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns. Someone also jumped from a second floor balcony but wasn't hurt.

 

All 28 units in the complex had to be evacuated, which housed 46 people. Fire investigators say one apartment is heavily damaged, and four others had damage. Firefighters say a"Fire Stop" built into the apartment building worked the way it was supposed to, and helped keep the fire from spreading to the entire apartment building.

A tenant meeting will be held at 9:30 Wednesday morning to give direction to those who have been left homeless, though crews tell Valley News Live some of the tenants may be able to return to their units later Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters say there was no sprinkler system in the apartment complex, but the fire alarms were working.

 

Fire Chief Mark Hovland says there were 8 or 9 oxygen tanks exploding in one of the units, creating a huge hurdle for firefighters trying to knock down the blaze. The state fire marshal is looking into the exact cause.

The Red Cross in Ottertail County and a unit from Fargo Moorhead rushed to the scene to assist those evacuated with temporary housing, clothing, and food, as needed.

NaDean Schroeder, Regional Communications Officer, for the Minn-Kota Region of the American Red Cross reported that trained Disaster Action Team volunteers from the Minn-Kota Region of the American Red Cross were responding to the fire scene. 

Schroeder said the Red Cross will assess the needs of the victims of the fire and provide assistance where needed. A follow up release will occur after assessment of the situation has been made.