FERGUS FALLS, MINN. (KFGO) – Fire departments from three communities battled a fire at an apartment building on College Way in Fergus Falls. The fire was reported at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
When police arrived, they found flames and heavy smoke coming from the southeast corner of the third floor and started evacuating tenants. One person was trapped and had to be rescued by a ladder from a third-story window.
Four other people were also found trapped by heavy smoke on the third floor and had to be led to safety by firefighters. Three people were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Their conditions were not available.
The fire was contained in an hour. Investigators determined the fire was accidental and started on the stovetop of the unit that was heavily damaged. There was also heavy smoke damage to the third floor of the building and some heat damage in the hallway.
All 24 units of the complex had to be evacuated for the night. Most of the displaced families were brought to area hotels.
Fire Chief Ryan Muchow said mutual aid from the Elizabeth and Underwood fire departments was called because the fire was in a multi-family apartment building and because of the dangerous cold which cut the rotation time for firefighters outside.
