HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — More than a dozen families in Huntsville, Ala., were left without a place to stay after fire tore through the Governor’s House Apartments on Governors House Drive late Saturday night.
Huntsville Fire and Rescue was called to the complex at about 10:25 p.m. Halloween night. Fire officials said nobody was injured, and they asked people to stay clear of the area while crews knocked down the flames and made the scene safe.
Between eight and 10 Huntsville Fire & Rescue units worked the blaze at the 16-unit complex. Firefighters also ran into trouble with a private hydrant system on the property that did not work properly, which complicated the attack on the fire.
The American Red Cross and the complex management are helping the displaced households with emergency needs such as shelter.
Smoke and flames could already be seen from the buildings when the first crews pulled up, and firefighters spent the rest of the night bringing the fire under control and checking units for hot spots.
The private hydrant problem is the kind of issue that can slow firefighters at privately owned complexes, where the owner rather than the city is responsible for keeping the water supply on site in working order. Residents of apartment communities are encouraged to ask management whether on-site hydrants and fire alarms are inspected and tested on a regular schedule.
Families who lost their homes and need shelter or other help can reach out to the American Red Cross or to the complex office.
Investigators have not said what started the fire. The cause and origin remain under investigation, and no estimate of the damage had been released by early Sunday.
Section: More Huntsville AL crime news
Filed under: Huntsville AL Public Safety News
