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Residents of Civitan Apartments evacuated when fire breaks out |
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Thursday, 25 June 2009 |
No major injuries were reported Wednesday when the Civitan Apartments on Bird Street in Benton caught fire.
The fire reportedly started in a kitchen and was contained to that apartment, Leigha Jones, Civitan community development director, said.
Benton firefighters responded to the fire at 704 Bird St. around 1:30 p.m.
The Civitan resident received medical care for smoke inhalation, Benton Fire Marshal Bruce Armstrong said.
He said the resident was cooking and left the apartment to visit another resident when he realized grease was on the stove.
Another resident was outside waiting on delivery of the Courier, Armstrong said, when he saw smoke coming from the ventilation system of the 24-unit complex.
“All residents were evacuated,” Armstrong said.
Jones said residents were taken to Holland Chapel Baptist Church’s Family Life Center until the scene was cleared and damage assessed.
“There is air conditioning (at the church) and it provided residents a place to eat and have shelter,” Jones said.
According to the American Red Cross, its Arkansas chapter is providing emergency shelter for three families
Civitan Services is a nonprofit organization offering preschool and adult day programs. It has served people with developmental disabilities for 50 years.
The Red Cross also provided shelter to another family Wednesday after at home in Little Rock was destroyed by fire.
“As we are already hearing firecrackers exploding, we urge Arkansans to be careful with anything flammable as we enter the Fourth of July holiday,” Red Cross spokesman Brigette Williams said.
“Home fires begin for a variety of reasons, but with the ongoing intense heat, grilling, as well as fireworks, we encourage everyone to be vigilant while enjoying outdoor activities.”
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