Submitted by Lt. Shawn L. Jones, PIO/Assistant Fire Marshal

On March 18, at 0831 Richmond Emergency Communications received numerous calls for an apartment fire in the 1300 block of Coalter Street, which is in the Churchhill area of the city. Initial calls indicated that several people were possibly trapped inside. Richmond Fire units were dispatched and Quint 11 arrived on scene with a 3-story apartment building with heavy smoke showing from the C side. Crews entered the building and discovered a downstairs apartment well involved in fire. Rescue 1 did a quick search of the apartment, and the results proved negative. Additional units arrived on scene and did a quick search of the remaining apartments within the building, and discovered that all occupants had made it out safely.

Quint 11 launched an aggressive interior fire attack. The fire was contained to one unit within the building, although nine other units received smoke damage. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes. A total of 19 people were seen by a combined effort between Richmond Fire and Richmond Ambulance Authority, of those seen nine were transported to an area hospital.

The fire caused $100,000 in damage and the investigation team has ruled it as accidental.