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Two alarm fire rips through Melrose East apartment complex

7 years 2 months 39 minutes ago Tuesday, January 17 2017 Jan 17, 2017 January 17, 2017 7:18 AM January 17, 2017 in News
Source: WBRZ
By: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE – Fire investigators are working to figure out what sparked a two-alarm fire at a Melrose East apartment complex. Firefighters were called to the Bon Carre Apartments on Titian Ave., just after 9:30 Monday evening.

A spokesperson for the Baton Rouge Fire Department tells News 2, the first trucks to arrive found fire coming through the roof of one of the buildings at the complex. Upwards of 50 firefighters were called to the scene, at the peak of the fire. For more than two hours, dozens of renters stood on the street and watched as fire and smoke rose from the building.

The American Red Cross has been called in to help people displaced by the fire. At least 75 people were affected. A temporary shelter has been set up at Emmanuel Tabernacle of Praise church on Titian Ave.

Fire department spokesperson Curt Monte, told News 2’s Brett Buffington, it appears everyone from the building has been accounted for.

 Several residents from the apartment complex said they heard their neighbors screaming, and when they opened their doors, saw the black smoke. One wheelchair bound man said, he smelled the smoke and used his Life Alert button to call for help.

 The fire burned through the roof of several units at the Titian Avenue complex. The site, the scene of another fire in the spring of 2015. In that fire, it was found that a young child was to blame.

 The WBRZ newsroom is continuing to follow this developing story overnight, and will have new information as it becomes available.

 

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