Firefighters continued with mop up efforts and extinguishing hot spots late Tuesday morning after a fire destroyed the National Apartments in Scottsburg. None of the residents were injured in the fire.
Nine families were left homeless following an early morning fire that destroyed the National Apartments at the corner of Cherry and Railroad Streets in Scottsburg last Tuesday, Sept. 16.
None of the residents were injured, according to Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Chief James Richey. However, a Scottsburg Electric Department employee received a foot injury when he stepped on a nail, according to the chief.
The fire alarm was sounded at 2:30 a.m. and the volunteer fire department responded almost immediately as the apartments were just across Cherry Street from the fire department.
Heavy fire was coming out of the eaves when firefighters responded. According to the chief, firefighters efforts were hampered because of multiple roofs.
“The fire got up above the original flat roof and under the more recent truss roof and spread throughout the building,” said Richey. “We couldn’t get to it from below or up above,” he said.
Firefighters entered the building to get to the flames but exited when a wall began to collapse, reported the chief.
The building, originally built in the early 1900’s, formerly housed the old National Tire Mart until it was renovated into 11 apartments in recent years. Nine of those 11 apartments were occupied, Richey said.
The 15,600 square foot structure is owned by DR Rentals LLC and according to the Secretary of State’s office Dorota Robison is the principal owner.
The cause of the fire is undetermined.
Richey said the Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents find shelter.