UPDATE: Officials have declared that the total number of residents that will be displaced by the apartment fire is 61. They may not be able to return until Dec. 1 as the city needs to re-inspect the property. Three panel boxes need to be replaced.
Suffolk, Va. - Suffolk Fire and Rescue is currently on the scene of a fire at Suffolk Towers apartment building on the 180 block of North Main Street in downtown Suffolk. The call came in at 2:09 p.m and the first units arrived at 2:11 p.m.
Once they arrived to the scene, firefighters reported finding heavy smoke coming from the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th floor of the 8-story high-rise apartment building. They immediately evacuated the premises. The fire was declared to be under control at 3:18 p.m.
Preliminary investigations show that the fire originated in the electrical room on the 4th floor. The entire electrical panel was damaged. Dominion Virginia Power and the building maintenance crew were able to restore the power for residences. The building has no water damage and only minor smoke damage.
No injuries have been reported at this time. Approximately 104 occupants will be displaced overnight. The American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia is assisting firefighters with determining the exact number of individuals that will be displaced. Main Street United Methodist Church located on the 180 block of North Main Street has opened their doors to assist those who were displaced by the fire.
There was no damage to Baron's Pub or WalWin Carpet, which are two retail stores on the ground floor of the building.
North Main Street at Market Street and North Main Street at E. Washington Street are currently closed and will remain closed for the next several hours.
