At 8:41 PM, Wednesday, January 11, the Bismarck Fire Department responded to the smell of smoke from an apartment building located at 333 W. Interstate Ave. The first arriving truck reported smoke coming from a third floor apartment but could not see any fire.
Upon further investigation a fire was found in a back bedroom. A hoseline was advanced to the third floor and a crew made entry into the apartment to attack the fire. The fire was brought under control in approximately ten minutes. Additional crews on scene were used to search the rest of the building for occupants and assisted two occupants out of the building. There was heavy fire damage to the bedroom and smoke damage throughout the apartment. There was also minor water damage to the apartment below the fire-damaged apartment.
The Bismarck Police Department and Metro Area Ambulance Service assisted with traffic control and moving approximately 20 occupants to a neighboring building to get them out of the extreme cold temperatures. The occupant of the fire-damaged apartment was displaced due to the damage. The Bismarck Fire Department Chaplain responded and assisted the occupant of the fire apartment with arrangements for a place to spend the night.
The cause of the fire is undermined at this time. There is an estimated $30,000.00 in damages to the building. The Bismarck Fire Department responded with four Engine Companies, one Rescue Company, and one Command Vehicle with 18 personnel.