AUBURN — One tenant jumped out a window and several others were hurt Thursday morning when a three-story apartment house went up in flames at 395 Court St.
When fire crews arrived about 7:45 a.m., they reported heavy smoke from the rear of the building.
“Crews ultimately battled a substantial volume of fire on the second and third floors of the building,” according to a city statement. “Crews also contended with a neighboring structure that was also damaged by the original fire at 395 Court.”
The tenant who jumped from a second-story window suffered a leg injury, officials said. Several tenants were living in the building at the time, with three tenants sustaining minor injuries AND being transported to hospitals for evaluation.
“Due to the working smoke detectors throughout the building, the remaining tenants were able to get themselves to safety without injury,” according to the statement.
Auburn fire crews were assisted at the scene by firefighters from Lewiston and medics from the United Ambulance Service. Crews from Mechanic Falls, New Gloucester, Turner and Oxford fire departments provided station coverage while the blaze was being battled.
The American Red Cross was assisting tenants with temporary housing and other needs later in the day.
The fire was brought under control about 9 a.m., according to the release. Auburn’s fire investigator was being joined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office as the cause of the blaze is investigated.
Auburn Fire Chief Fifield credited a quick response to the blaze from preventing further calamity at the scene.
“Special thanks to the amazing dispatchers at the Lewiston Auburn 9-1-1 Communications Center for processing 14 E-911 calls in less than four minutes,” Fifield said. “The team dispatched units with impeccable skill and speed, and coordinated the response of three fire departments, in addition to summoning mutual aid to cover both cities during the event.”
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