Faulty Hydrants Examined After Georgia Blaze

The East Point Fire Department said Saturday it has begun an investigation into why hydrants were not operating at full capacity during a Friday blaze that gutted a two-story south Fulton apartment building.

The Colony at Camp Creek Apartments became fully engulfed in flames while firefighters scrambled to find water. They could only work to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to a nearby building.

The fire displaced 25 people living in the building, but no resident was injured, fire officials said. Two firefighters, however, suffered minor injuries.

Fire Chief Rosemary Cloud said in a release that hydrants are inspected by the fire department twice a year. Spokesman James Hammond said the last inspection at the apartment complex was in September 2011. He could not provide inspection results.

In her release, Cloud said fire officials determined that most of the hydrants involved in Friday's fire are privately owned by Colony at Camp Creek Apartments, which she said is responsible for maintaining them.

The chief added that when a private hydrant does not meet national standards, "we take the necessary steps to enforce the fire code." The fire chief said more information would be available Monday after a debriefing.

The blaze occurred at a six-unit building in the 3200 block of Drexel Lane. Ware confirmed the complex was the site of a blaze in 2010. American Red Cross was called to assist those displaced by Friday's blaze.

Copyright 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution