GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Fire Department is investigating an apartment fire that took place just before noon Sunday. It occurred on the roof of Ferguson Apartments on Sheldon Boulevard SE and Oakes Street SE in Grand Rapids.
No injuries were reported, but authorities say 83 people have been displaced.
Emergency personnel say the fire took less than 10 minutes to put out. Due to the fire being on the roof, authorities say there was no fire suppression system, and it had to be put out manually.
Grand Rapids Fire Captain Paul Mason says the fire department being close to the building contributed to their quick response time.
"The fact that it happened downtown and we have a lot of staffing downtown to respond quickly to the fire was ultra important, with all our tall buildings, heavily occupied with a lot of people, having a lot of firefighters available and quickly was evident today," Mason said.
Residents say smoke alarms in the building go off regularly, and some thought it was a false alarm. Other occupants and firefighters reportedly pounded on apartment doors to warn people of the fire.
Authorities say they get smoke alarm signals from the building "just about daily."
"People get accustomed to hearing the fire alarms and then aren't as quick to evacuate the building," Mason said. "And that's why we encourage all building occupants to evacuate the building when you hear the fire alarm and not take for granted that there's no fire."
The fifth and sixth floors of the building are not inhabitable due to the fire, and GRFD is working with the American Red Cross to find temporary housing for those displaced.
GRFD says it is unclear what led to the fire. The incident remains under investigation.
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