An early morning fire Wednesday swept through a Greenwood apartment building, leaving more than 59 residents displaced.
One building at Meridian Oaks Apartments, a five-building apartment complex in 100 block of Love Avenue, caught fire at 1:04 a.m.
By the time firefighters arrived at the scene just minutes later, the building was already fully engulfed in flames and had reached the attic, said Jeremy Pell, White River Township fire chief.
Firefighters quickly entered the building to make sure all residents were out, risking their own lives as the flames grew larger and destabilized the building, Pell said.
“The first arriving fire crews made some extraordinary efforts to enter that building and find people inside. Several fire companies went straight up to the third floor. Several had to exit through windows when the building started to collapse,” he said.
All residents had evacuated before the sweep, Pell said.
Firefighters were at the scene until about 5 a.m., with the main fire put out in about 15 minutes. Conditions were difficult because half of the roof collapsed, he said.
The building closest to the pool caught fire, and all 24 units were damaged by fire, smoke and water. At least half of the building, on all three floors, was touched by fire. The building is likely a total loss, Pell said.
A different building at the same complex caught fire in 2018. That fire also damaged 24 units.
One resident of the complex was taken to an area hospital due to smoke inhalation. A firefighter was also treated for a minor cut after the fire, he said.
Residents were taken to the clubhouse at neighboring Bayshore Apartments to get away from the scene.
The American Red Cross is providing those displaced with shelter and food assistance, said LaMar Holliday, regional communications director. The Red Cross will continue to provide financial assistance and health services to those impacted in the coming days, he said.
The White River Township Fire Department was assisted by Bargersville, Franklin, Greenwood, Indianapolis and Whiteland departments. Madison Township and Trafalgar departments covered those stations during the fire.
An off-duty Greenwood police officer who lives in the area helped at the scene and assisted residents before firefighters arrived, Pell said.
“Mutual aid departments were essential to everyone going home safely,” he said. “Here in Johnson County, we are very fortunate to have a good working relationship with all of our first responders.”
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday afternoon.
