Jan. 16--HIGHLAND -- A fire that started with a Christmas tree has destroyed an apartment building, displaced about 30 people and sent four injured tenants to the hospital.
"They're left without a place to live," said Robin Summers, executive director of the American Red Cross Southwestern Illinois Chapter. "They've lost pretty much everything."
The fire broke out shortly before noon Tuesday on the middle floor of the three-story, 18-unit apartment building. The brick building fronts on both Broadway and El Kay Court. Thirteen units were occupied.
Firefighters had to evacuate the building and rescue four people from their apartments, said Highland Fire Department Captain Brad Menz. They also rescued a dog, cat and a pet rat.
Menz said that the fire appeared to be "accidental, and started with a Christmas tree." Arson does not appear to be involved, he said. The investigation is continuing and it's too early to say with certainty what caused the tree to go up in flames, he said.
"The second and third floors are pretty well destroyed," Menz said. " They have extensive damage and smoke damage and really nothing is going to be salvageable."
He said the lower level apartments had heavy water damage and some ceilings have collapsed.
"The building is uninhabitable,' Menz said.
Two of the apartments were engulfed in flames and firefighters could not enter them. As far as authorities know, all the people who lived there got out of the building.
Firefighters worked between three and four hours to extinguish the fire, he said. Those involved including the Highland Fire Department firefighters and EMS personnel, the Highland Pierron Fire Protection District, St. Jacob Fire Department, Grantfork Fire Department and the Edwardsville Fire Department, which provided an ambulance.
The Red Cross worked out of Highland Fire Department Station No. 1 to try to find lodging, clothing and food for the residents. Some tenants who had nowhere to stay overnight were put up in a hotel.
Summers said the Red Cross would be back at the fire station at 1122 Broadway again Wednesday.
"We'll be here as long as we're needed ," she said.
She said some churches and other groups had called to see how they could help.
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