Conshohocken Apartment Complex Fire
Aug 15, 2008 6:27 am US/Eastern
Investigation Of 8-Alarm Inferno Continues
CONSHOHOCKEN (CBS 3) ―
Investigators are combing through the rubble of a Montgomery County apartment complex nearly destroyed by an 8-alarm inferno Wednesday.
A day after massive flames erupted at the Riverwalk at Millennium luxury apartment complex, firefighters remained at the scene dousing smoldering embers and hotspots.
Officials said the mammoth blaze broke out in an unoccupied building under construction near the complex on the 200 block of Washington Street in Conshohocken at about 5 p.m.
The building was reportedly only approximately 20-percent complete and fire protection was not yet installed.
"It was a wood frame building that was under construction," said Montgomery County Public Safety Director Tom Sullivan.
Approximately 300 firefighters worked on the huge fire for nearly six hours, at out point calling it an "all points" fire, meaning fire companies within a 20 mile radius were on-call to assist in the battle. The fire was placed under control shortly before 11:00 p.m.
Flames spread to four adjacent occupied apartment buildings, destroying 168 apartments.
Officials said two of the buildings are not fit to be lived in and will have to be torn down. Two additional buildings in the complex are said to have suffered major water damage.
Fire officials at the scene said the location of the inferno proved to be a major obstacle.
"It's very hard because it's in a congested area. We had to shut down major roadways," officials said.
Fortunately no major injuries were reported. Officials said 11 firefighters and at least one resident were treated for minor injuries.
The fact there was no loss of life comforted the developer, despite the incredible damage to the complex.
"I'm very grateful that everyone's safe and I want to provide homes for the people that are displaced, the rest can be taken care of in the morning," developer Brian O'Neill said.
The
Red Cross arrived at the scene Wednesday evening to assist nearly 375 residents displaced by the flames. A temporary shelter was set up at the Spring Mill Fire Company.
While it is too early to determine how the fire began, arson dogs have reportedly been brought to the scene.
Early estimates place the total monetary damage in the tens of millions. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Some displaced residents questioned whether their new building fully complied with fire code.
"It was confirmed for me this morning that everything was according to code to the absolute centimeter, there was no deviation whatsoever to code, in fact, we went above the code," O'Neill said.
Governor Ed Rendell is asking the federal government for assistance in the aftermath of the inferno.
On Thursday, Rendell requested the U.S. Small Business Administration declare Montgomery County a disaster area. That move would clear the way for low-interest loans for eligible renters and business owners.
Renters could borrow up to $40,000 to replace lost possessions and business owners could borrow up to $2 million.
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