VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A fire damaged eight apartments and displaced several families Friday evening at a two-story apartment complex on Malibu Palms Drive near Rosemont Road, officials said.
Crews with the Virginia Beach Fire Department were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. and arrived within minutes to find heavy black smoke and flames coming from a second-floor unit. Because of the volume of fire, a second alarm was requested to bring in additional resources.
Firefighters deployed hose lines and began attacking the fire, which was brought under control just after 5:35 p.m. Crews remained on scene for more than an hour to extinguish remaining hot spots.
No injuries were reported to residents, firefighters or pets. Crews rescued several animals from nearby apartments, including four cats and a dog, and safely reunited them with their owners.
Officials said four apartments on the first floor and four on the second floor were affected. In total, 12 adults and nine children were displaced. The American Red Cross was notified to assist with temporary housing for displaced families.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
