Firefighters from Atlantic responded to a structure fire this (Tuesday), at W. 7th and Locust Street. The blaze in the three-level rental property owned by Pat McCurdy, was home to eight people in separate apartments. It was reported just before three-p.m.  Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel says it was a difficult fire to fight because of where it was in the building.

Mutual aid was called for and received from the Griswold, Lewis, Marne and Anita Fire Departments, who provided much needed personnel. They switched-off with crews battling the interior fire, due to the heat.

Cappel said crews were inside for no more than 30 minutes at a time. It takes another 30 minutes to get them cooled down with water and a special cooling vest for those who were overheated. The Cass County Fire Association and others brought cold, bottled water to the scene. At one point in the afternoon, fire trucks sounded their horns, warning those inside the home to evacuate due to fears the roof would collapse.

About a block of 7th Street in each direction was blocked off while crews battle the blaze. As of 6-p.m., crews were still on the scene. No injuries were reported, but it’s thought a couple of cats were lost to the smoke and flames. There were very few people inside when the fire broke out.

Chief Cappel said it’s too early too determine what may have started the blaze, although initial speculation was that it was electrical in nature. He said it appears the fire started on the northwest corner of the house, because that’s where the heaviest smoke was upon firefighters’ arrival. In addition to the aforementioned fire fighters, Atlantic Police, Cass EMS, Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Cass County Drone were on the scene. The drone was piloted by Deputy Ben Bartholowmew, who provided information to the fire department on any unseen hotspots and trouble areas.

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