CFD Works Apartment Fire

From Central Fire Department
    An electrical malfunction is suspected of being the cause of a one alarm fire that resulted in significant damage to a two story apartment in Central Wednesday night.  The box alarm, which was received at 11:40 p.m. on September 30, sent Central, District Six, and East Side Fire Departments to the 14800 block of Forestgrove Ave.  
    On arrival, firefighters were met with residents in the parking lot pointing to a middle apartment in a building containing five two story apartments.  There was no sign of fire or smoke, but firefighters noticed the windows of the apartment were coated heavily with soot and were hot to the touch.  After forcing entry into the apartment, firefighters quickly extinguished a smoldering fire under a stairwell.  It appeared the fire had started after the residents left to go to the store and free burned, heavily damaging the first floor, with heat and smoke causing significant damage to the second floor.  After consuming all of the oxygen in the apartment, the fire stopped free burning and began to smolder.
    As crews were extinguishing the fire, other firefighters searched the apartment and discovered a dog suffering from smoke inhalation.  The conscious dog was removed from the apartment and turned over to EMS personnel.  After receiving oxygen, the dog was returned in good condition to the residents. 
    The American Red Cross assisted the displaced family and the remaining residents of the building were allowed to return to their apartments.