Families Displaced After Fire Destroys Belleville Apartment Complex
BELLEVILLE (WWJ) -- Several families have been left homeless after a major fire at an apartment complex in Belleville.
The fire took off around 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Water's Edge apartment complex along the I-94 service drive just west of Belleville Road.
Authorities say the fire destroyed about half of the building's 40 units. Residents were safely evacuated from the complex and no injuries were reported.
Gary Krupczak with the American Red Cross said about 52 residents are now being assisted with food, clothing and temporary housing.
Charlie Barbie, with Dynamic Security, was on the scene Wednesday morning to watch the property.
"We're here to make sure nobody goes in, not even the tenants. They can't even go in and check on their property," Barbie told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "All of this is going to be boarded up, that will start this morning. They've got a crew that's coming out to board the whole thing up."
Barbie said many residents have come back to the complex, but there's nothing they can do.
"They're shocked, you know? And then you've got the tenants that had pets. [Firefighters] went through all the apartments, got the pets out and took them to an animal shelter," he said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The American Red Cross says anyone who needs help as a result of the fire should call 800-774-6066 for assistance.
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