Apartment fire forces tenants out into the cold

Apartment fire forces tenants out into the cold

YOUNGSTOWN — A fire early this afternoon forced the evacuation of the occupants of 12-unit apartment complex at 2660 Tyrell St. into the freezing cold.

One woman, Crystal Williams, 24, suffered a sprained knee when she tripped coming down some steps, said Youngstown Fire Capt. Rich Russo. There was heavy fire and water damage to Apartment 6 and water damage to the apartment below it.

The roof was damaged when firefighters ripped it to vent the smoke, and there was smoke damage throughout the structure. The occupants were not allowed to remain in their apartments, and after gathering a few items, were trying to find other places to stay.

Russo said the cold temperature, which, with the wind chill factor, was 4 degrees below zero, caused two fire hydrants to freeze. He said extra pumper units were called to the scene to supply water until the hydrants began to work.

Russo said late tonight that fire investigators had not yet determined the cause of the blaze, which was reported at 12:20 p.m.