Update: The American Red Cross will open an emergency shelter in response to the Vintage Apartments fire in Chehalis. The shelter will open at 2 p.m. Saturday at the community room located at the apartment complex. All individuals from Vintage Apartments impacted by the fire are encouraged to gather there. The complex is at 1590 N. National Ave., Chehalis.
Previous: According to the Chehalis Fire Department, 22 people were evacuated and one person was injured after a structure fire at the Vintage Apartments in the 1500 block of National Avenue early Saturday morning.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 1:28 a.m. for a reported fire alarm.
“Upon arrival of the first engine company, crews confirmed a working structure fire,” the department wrote in a news release. “Firefighters quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously evacuating residents. Thanks to rapid actions the fire was contained to a single apartment unit.”
One occupant was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to the fire department, which stated several neighboring units experienced smoke and water damage
“A total of 22 occupants were safely evacuated and sheltered on-site, with support provided by the American Red Cross,” the department stated.
The Red Cross issued a news release on Saturday morning:
“The American Red Cross has been alerted to a fire in an apartment complex on N. National Avenue in Chehalis,” the release states. “The fire started in one unit but first reports indicate many people have been affected. Our disaster responders will offer help to the victims of the fire. Red Cross responders can provide assistance that may include emergency shelter, food, clothing, and other urgent needs.”
The Chehalis Fire department thanked local law enforcement, Lewis County Fire District 6, the Riverside Fire Authority and the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority for responding to the blaze.
“Their teamwork and coordination helped bring this incident under control quickly and safely,” the department wrote. “Thank you to all responding personnel for their professionalism and dedication.”
For more information about the Red Cross, visit http://www.redcross.org.
