Fire causes evacuation of Portage apts

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) - One person was injured and several units at Briargate Apartments in Portage were evacuated Thursday night due to a fire.

Officials at the scene told 24 Hour News 8 the fire started in a top-floor apartment around 10 p.m. A 911 caller saw black smoke and flames coming out of a top-floor window.

Firefighters arrived and saw orange flames and smoke coming from windows on the northeast side of the building at 342 Tudor Circle.

Other departments from Oshtemo Township, Texas Township, Comstock and Kalamazoo were dispatched to the scene.

Residents were evacuated and the bulk of the fire was extinguished in five minutes but "a ceiling collapse occurred in the primary apartment making it difficult to locate the small smoldering and burning spots," according to a news release. "Fire had also spread to the attic and adjoining apartment."

A fire wall in the building prevented the flames from spreading, but residual smoke damaged an adjoining roof area.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Ambulance personnel treated and released the injured resident at the scene.

The American Red Cross helped some of the 43 affected residents find temporary housing, while others found housing on their own. Several residents were taken to the Residence Inn on E. Kilgore Road.