DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – The Devils Lake Fire Department responded to several calls of a fire beginning at 1 a.m. early Tuesday morning, Sept. 29 at Great Northern Apartments, a building located in the downtown area on 4th Ave. NE. Upon arrival, the fire appeared to originate in one of the units on the second floor of the building.
DLFD Fire Chief Nate Bennett confirmed that the fire started on the second floor and as a result, the heat from that fire affected the insulation of wiring on the third floor, causing it to spark. However, he stressed those findings were only preliminary and the investigation is ongoing. Bennett also confirmed that no injuries were reported.
“As a precautionary safety measure, all residents of the 38-unit building were evacuated,” said Lori Carlson, Vice President of MetroPlains Management. “We are grateful to report that all residents and responding personnel are safe. The fire originated in a second-floor apartment within the three-story building and was largely contained to that unit. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation. We are awaiting the official fire report.”
Apartment residents are being temporarily housed at Lake Region State College; Carlson expressed MetroPlains Management’s gratitude to LRSC “for opening its facilities and providing accommodation and support for displaced residents during this time.”
Members of the local Salvation Army were on hand to provide assistance until the arrival of the American Red Cross later that morning. Carlson thanked them for their “outstanding assistance and rapid response.”
Carlson added that specialized vendors have been brought in to conduct a thorough inspection of the building and all related systems before residents return to their homes. “At this time, we anticipate most residents may be able to return (within) approximately 2-4 days, while the unit where the fire originated may require 3-5 days before reoccupation,” she said.
According to reports provided by the Devils Lake Police Department, two cats were recovered at the scene by law enforcement officers and are being held at the pound. Due to the fire, owner will not have to pay impound fees when they come to retrieve the pets.
This story has been updated since its original posting earlier on Sept. 29.