Fire Breaks Out In Merrillville Apartment Complex On Same Day Test Was Planned
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (CBS) — Residents at a Merrillville apartment complex were ready for a fire drill test Monday, but what they didn't expect were flames and a very real threat to their safety.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports the fire broke out on the third floor of the 36 unit building in the Lakes Apartment Complex. All those residents have now been displaced.
By the time fire units from Merrillville and surrounding departments arrived, flames and smoke had enveloped the upper units.
"We had reports of people trapped on the third floor so our guys went up to the third floor, assisted the residents out of the building and then we proceeded into the fire," said Merrillville Fire Chief Ed Yerga.
Nobody was hurt in the blaze, which happened on the day residents had been told by building management that the fire alarm system was going to be tested.
Julie Sipek didn't think much when there was a pounding on the door.
"I look down the hall and it's a little smoky and I see my neighbor banging on everybody's doors and I said, 'What's going on' and he goes, 'It's a fire you got to get out,'" she said.
"This is the second apartment building fire I've been in and the second I smelled smoke I grabbed my shoes and my purse and I ran," said Darlene Strong.
Darlene and her granddaughter had to wait for firefighters to go into their apartment to bring out their pet rabbit. The firefighters did and little Nikki it turned out was just fine.
Dozens of residents like George Golston brought out what little could be salvaged from their flooded and fire-damaged apartments.
"We gotta do what we," he said. "Every day can't be sunshine."
The Red Cross is now working on finding temporary housing for the dozens who, for tonight at least, have no place to live.
