Incident number: 24-01999
Type of emergency: Structure fire
Incident date: 3/23/2024
Incident time: 8:44 p.m.
Address/location: 595 Wagner Dr., Apt. 19
Occupied? Yes
Owner: Ryan Vella
Probable cause, if known: Unattended cooking
Structure type: Apartment building
Construction type: Wood frame
Estimated property damage: $500,000
Estimated contents damage: $50,000
Location/extent of damage: Third floor
Hazardous materials involved?: No
Specialized rescues?: No
Vehicles involved: N/A
Injuries
Civilian: Yes; Civilians were treated for smoke inhalation and released on scene.
Responder: None
Fatalities
Civilian: None
Responder: None
Other information: The Battle Creek Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire at the River Villa Apartments, located at 595 Wagner Dr. Car 3 arrived within three minutes to find flames showing from a third-floor apartment. Car 3 assumed command. T-1 arrived and began searching for occupants. Rescue 2 arrived and extended a hoseline for fire attack. Engine 5 assisted Rescue 2 and Truck 1. Engine 3 established a water supply. E-4 searched the floor below and assisted on the third floor. Rescue 6 performed ventilation and secured the utilities. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes.
Due to the quick actions of BCFD, fire damage was limited to one apartment and a hallway. Seven other units were affected by smoke and/or water damage. One building occupant was treated by LifeCare Ambulance for smoke inhalation on scene and released. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has been determined to be unattended cooking. The Red Cross assisted those who were displaced from the fire.
A reminder that working smoke alarms save lives. Take action when you hear a smoke alarm activate, and do not assume that it's a false alarm.