Around 7:00 PM on Sunday, June 4, the Bismarck Fire Department responded to a report of an apartment building fire at 158 E Indiana Ave. in Bismarck. The initial report was of two apartments on fire. The first arriving crew gave an initial report of smoke showing, established command, laid a fire attack hoseline and proceeded to the structure to fight the fire.
The Bismarck Police Department initiated evacuation of the structure. There was no confirmation that all occupants were out so firefighting crews did a room by room search and evacuation. They eventually were able to establish that all occupants were out of the structure. Shortly after arrival fire was seen coming from the roof of the structure. Interior crews tore down ceiling sheetrock to expose the attic area in an effort to stop the fire; efforts were successful. Twenty-one fire suppression people were dispatched to the scene. The Fire Department chaplain was called to the scene to assist many displaced occupants. MDU was called to the scene to secure gas and power lines.
No civilians or firefighters were injured from the fire. Metro Area Ambulance and the Red Cross also assisted with the incident. Cause of the fire is under investigation. Ancillary to this call, the apartment building at 176 E Indiana developed a water line break inside the structure; as a result of that development the water and power were shut off to the structure and all occupants were displaced. The Red Cross was able to find accommodations for them as well.