St. Joseph Fire Department responds to large fire at Meadows Apartments

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- St. Joseph Firefighters battled a large structure fire that engulfed part of an apartment complex early Tuesday morning on South Leonard Road.

A large force of firefighters were seen combating a fire at the Meadows Apartments at 2216 S. Leonard Road, off Pickett Road. A large group of St. Joseph Police Officers were also on scene to assist.

News-Press NOW observed a large number of residents evacuating from the fire, which engulfed a significant part of the building and completely destroyed a roof and several apartments despite early morning storms.

At one point, flames were high enough to be seen from U.S. Highway 36. Multiple surrounding apartments were also damaged due to the flames.

Acting Battalion Chief Skyler White says no one was injured or trapped, but that about six apartments are out of commission and the red cross responded to take care of about 20 people.

He added that firefighters got the fire under control in just under three hours, by about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

News-Press NOW will provide more updates as they become available.