DAYTON - Approximately 30 adults and eight children were displaced by a fire Friday at a two-story apartment building.
One firefighter suffered a minor shoulder injury while battling the blaze, which was reported at 1:41 p.m. at the Wright Landing Apartments, 4409 Burkhardt Ave.
The fire started when a resident was melting wax on a stove, according to Dayton Assistant Fire Chief Paul Sheehan.
"It appears they were attempting to melt wax on the stove and whatever they were melting wax in, it cracked and spilled the wax down into the stove," Sheehan said.
Sheehan said the fire spread into the walls damaging two apartments, and four other units were damaged by smoke and water. Smoke also entered the attic area, a common space with no walls separating the units, Sheehan said.
Sheehan said the apartment units do not have individual electric meters, and the power to the building was shut off.
The building's owner, OPM Investments Inc., is assisting the residents in finding shelter for the evening, said OPM Investments spokeswoman Debora Dorko.
"We're trying to take care of our residents," Dorko said. "We're going to get them housing for the evening and determine their long-term needs."
Dorko said an account has been set up at Chase Bank in the building's name, Wright Landing Apartments, to help residents who have lost possessions. Nonperishable items will be accepted today at the building's office.
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