HENRICO, VA— Ten children and 10 adults were displaced after a fire at an apartment complex in Henrico County.
The two-alarm fire broke out at the North Slope apartment complex in the 2800 block of Matterhorn Drive around 12 p.m. Saturday.
Officials said the fire started on a balcony and was caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials.
A total of eight apartments were affected by fire and six of those units appear to be a total loss, according to fire officials. Several other apartments were affected by smoke.
The American Red Cross is assisting the 10 adults and 10 children who were displaced by the fire.
When crews arrived on scene, heavy fire was showing from the roof of the two-story apartment complex. The fire started in a center unit and then quickly spread to the left and the right of the unit.
Fire crews entered the building to ensure the building had been evacuated, but were then forced to move outside when conditions became unsafe as the fire badly damaged the structure of the building.
Crews continued to douse the fire with water, trying to break down the flames. After nearly four hours, the fire was marked under control at 3:55 p.m.
No injuries have been reported at this time. Some areas of the apartment building have not been searched due to the structural integrity, according to fire officials.
A total of 13 fire units, three chiefs and firefighter rehabilitation group responded to the fire. No firefighter injuries have been reported.
Stay with 8News for updates.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
