SALINE COUNTy —Investigators determined the fire at a Salina apartment complex on Wednesday afternoon was accidental and caused by careless discarding of smoking materials, according to a statement from the Salina Fire Department.
Just after 3p.m. Wednesday, crews were dispatched to The Ridge Apartment complex, 2363 Chapel Ridge after receiving reports of fire and smoke coming from the front of the two-story apartment building at the complex.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire and smoke conditions extending from the front of the building into the soffit with fire already extending into the attic and through the roof.
Crews immediately began fire suppression operations while also conducting a search for occupants in the affected apartment units. Due to the amount of active fire and potential for life safety issues, a second alarm was struck upon the arrival of the on-duty Battalion Chief.
The fire was brought under control within approximately 30 minutes, with crews remaining on scene for an extended period to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to check for any extension into neighboring units.
While several residents were displaced as a result of the fire, all occupants were able to safely exit the building and there were no injuries to report.
The cause of the fire has been ruled as accidental and likely due to the careless discarding of smoking materials near the front of the building.