An early morning fire Wednesday caused about $180,000 worth of damage to an 18-unit apartment building at 4240 17th Ave. S. in Fargo.
Tenants of the building were evacuated, and no one was injured, according to a Fargo Fire Department report.
The fire started in a chimney on the north end of the building, Fire Capt. Ellis Aakre said.
The blaze left the structure with only one usable exit, and tenants will not be allowed to return to the building until repairs are completed, Aakre said.
While most of the building suffered little smoke damage, the roof suffered heavy fire damage, according to the report.
ADVERTISEMENT
More than two dozen people were displaced, Aakre said.
Many tenants had found places to stay by Wednesday afternoon, and those who didn't were being assisted by the Minn-Kota Chapter of the American Red Cross and the management company that runs the complex.
About 16 people from half a dozen rental units received help finding shelter, said Dave Pattengale, emergency services director for the local Red Cross chapter.
Pattengale said the Red Cross typically covers the cost of three nights in a hotel to give people time to find longer-term housing.
He said in the case of Wednesday's fire, the property's management company, Craig Properties, is absorbing some of the cost as well.
The fire was reported at 12:30 a.m. and was under control about 25 minutes later, the report said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
