Structure fire forces evacuations at St. Joseph apartment complex
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Tenants are navigating the aftermath after being displaced by a structure fire at the Meadows Apartments, located off South Leonard Road and Pickett.
A large presence of first responders was seen at the complex early Tuesday morning, quickly working to combat the intense fire before it spread further.
According to the St. Joseph Fire Department, eight apartments were affected and more than 20 residents were safely evacuated; however, no injuries were reported.
Meadows Apartments tenant Martel Stewart said he was grateful to be awoken by St. Joseph Police officers before safely evacuating with his fiancée and children.
"When we came out, this whole parking lot was just full of people and smoke," Stewart said. "And there were about four or five fire trucks and 15 cop cars that did a really good job in assisting. I was just praying as it was spreading across other units that it wouldn't touch ours. It's just unfortunate that everyone had to go through all this."
Stewart, who has lived at the complex for nearly four years, described it as a quiet, well-maintained place. The fire came as a complete surprise to him and his family.
One family badly impacted by the fire had reportedly just moved into the complex two days earlier and lost the majority of their belongings.
"She's a hero in herself because she was banging on all the neighbors' doors, telling them to get out," Stewart said. "Anytime something like this happens, it's just tragic. Everything's so expensive and hard as it is, especially when somebody just moves in and you're trying to make somewhere your home then suddenly, you wake up to a disaster."
Caseworkers from the St. Joseph Red Cross, along with community partners, are working to support tenants and identify the next steps in their recovery.
"They said it's going to be maybe three or four days...could be longer," Stewart said. "So right now, I'm just grabbing all our belongings that we need: toiletries, clothes, work stuff and making sure we can get through the week."
JoAnn Woody, executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri, said in a statement to News-Press NOW:
"The Red Cross has established a temporary shelter for nearly 20 residents who needed a safe place to stay while they work with our Red Cross caseworkers and amazing partners in the St. Joseph community to identify the next steps. Having volunteers and partners who are committed to working together to meet the humanitarian needs of those affected by disaster is a gift, for the community and for the organizations that serve."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the St. Joseph Fire Department.
News-Press NOW will provide updates as more details become available.
