Fire Causes $45,000 in Damages to Lincoln Way Apartment Complex

From City of Ames Fire Department

A fire that spread from an electric panel caused $45,000 in damagers and displaced residents of a Lincoln Way apartment complex on Friday.

Ames firefighters responded to the fire about 8 p.m. Friday. Callers told 911 dispatch operators that there was a possible fire in the electrical panel of the single story six-unit apartment complex at 1018 Lincoln Way. 

When firefighters arrived, they located the fire in the main electrical panel and found that it had spread into the nearby walls and attic. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the corner of the building and extinguish it, a release said.

Some of the occupants of the complex were home at the time of the fire but escaped unharmed. One apartment unit and the building’s utility room sustained moderate fire damage. Damage is estimated at $45,000. All occupants of the apartment complex were displaced. The Red Cross has been called in and is working with the occupants to find shelter until the power can be restored in the building.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fireappeared to be electrical in nature, according to the release.