South Fargo Apartment Fire - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Some people are trying to get back to normal after a fire spreads through a South Fargo apartment. It happened around 2 P.M. at 2626 Pacific Drive South, and fire officials say it could have easily been prevented. 

Kate Thureen lives in the apartment and says, "Freaked out. I was like trembling. I got out as soon as I could, just grabbed my purse and left."

Kate was relaxing at home before work when her afternoon became hectic.

"I just started hearing the alarm go off," says Kate.

Fire officials say a fire started on the second floor of her apartment building, either in the chimney or fire place from smoking materials not being put out properly. They say it spread through a chimney chase up and down the building.

Kate says, "Really scary. Just thinking my whole life was in there."

Even though Kate heard an alarm, many people on the opposite end of the building had no idea a fire was happening until police knocked on their door and told them to get out.

Fire Marshall, Norm Scott, says, "Normally smoke detectors in apartments are individual units and if they go off they're not interconnected to the systems in the hallways."

Even with the scare, everyone got out safe.

"Scary, disheartening. I just feel really bad for the tenants who live there," says Kate.

People from three apartment units are displaced because of fire damage which is estimated at $120,000. The Red Cross was on scene to help those who are now without a home. The Fargo Fire Department is warning people to be careful with their smoking materials.