Feb. 27, 2022 4:10p; Updated at 8p with new Red Cross numbers
(WGTD)---No evidence of foul play has been detected in a fire that destroyed a large apartment building on Racine’s far north side Friday night. But fire department Captain Craig Ford says nothing’s been ruled out, either.
Ford says a tenant in the 16-unit building who smelled smoke phoned in the alarm just before 11. In a matter of seconds, her apartment was filled with smoke.
Everyone was able to get out on their own, although a dog succumbed to smoke inhalation and a cat hasn’t been found. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries, mostly as the result of slips and falls on ice. The temperature at the time was seven above.
Firefighters themselves evacuated the building within 50 minutes of the first alarm out of concern for the structural integrity of the building. The order to confine firefighting efforts to the building's exterior came after a hole was discovered in the floor of a unit on the first floor. The blaze seemed to spread from the basement.
The building on Anthony Lane was deemed a total loss.
The Red Cross is assisting tenants from all but one of the 16 burned-out apartments. That translates into 33 individuals, mostly from a younger demographic, according to agency spokesman Justin Kern.
Kern says the Red Cross is providing temporary housing and food, and will work with the victims and the agency’s partners to figure out long-term housing arrangements.
People interested in supporting the efforts of the Red Cross in general can donate cash on the Red Cross website. In-kind donations for the fire victims are being discouraged. He said it's possible a call for specific needs will be put out at a later date by the Red Cross or a partner agency.
The primary challenge facing the Red Cross in the coming days will be to find permanent housing for the fire victims, given the housing shortage that exists in much of the country.
Ford said no fire code violations were uncovered. The nearly 60-year-old building was not required to have sprinklers.
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