UPDATE: Pipe Repairs Cause of Windsor Inn Fire
By: Staff
Updated: March 16, 2013
Update:
Monroe Fire Investigators have confirmed to NBC 10 News that pipe repairs were the cause of Friday's Windsor Inn Fire that burned 24 apartment units, caused two minor injuries and left 50 people without a home.
Investigators said it all started when two plumbers were inside the interior wall that stretched down the middle of the 24 units, splitting them into two sides of 12 apartments.
According to the authorities, the plumbers were sweating a water pipe after it had burst. Sweating involves using a torch to heat the cut end of a copper pipe and a connecting piece of pipe, causing the solder to melt and form a leak-free fusion of the pipes.
Investigators said during the sweating process, the fire sparked in the interior walls and then spread through the attic.
The plumbers then tried to put the fire out with two fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful, according to authorities. It was then that a maintenance worker saw the smoke and called 9-1-1.
Monroe Fire Investigators commend the plumbers and maintenance workers for helping to get everyone evacuated until firefighters arrived, making sure no one was killed in the blaze.
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Crews on the scene report the fire now being contained.
Officials on the scene say two minor injuries have been reported. The building has 24 units and 50 occupants.
17 fire units worked the scene of the massive fire at the Windsor Inn Residence apartments, located on the 2400 block of Washington Street in Monroe. It sparked around 12:40 p.m.
The Dollar Tree store located next to the Windsor Inn was evacuated as a precautionary measure in case the fire started to spread.
Inn Maintenance Worker, Anthony Coleman, saw the smoke and called 9-1-1.
"I saw the smoke and we couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from," he said. "We had to go from there and, first of all, get people out of the building because safety is first."
Inn resident Frederick Ward ended up trapped in the nearly 40-foot area between a fence and his burning home.
"I'm scared to go around by the building because it's hot," Ward said. "Right where we're standing, you can feel the heat pressing down on me right now."
Thankfully, Ward was evacuated mere seconds after NBC 10 News interviewed him.
"Once our guys got on-scene, basically they assisted the maintenance workers in evacuating all of the apartment complexes," Interim Monroe Fire Chief, Terry Williams, said.
Everyone was successfully evacuated but now there are around 50 people without a home.
Firefighters are still looking for a cause.
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The fire is now being fought from a defensive angle. Multiple units are on scene at the fire.
No word on any injuries. Crews on the scene say the Dollar Tree nearby has been evacuated.
KTVE does have a crew on the scene and will bring you any updates as they develop.
Photo take by Nick Lawton:
These photos were sent to us by Heather Tedeton:
Original Story:
Monroe fire crews are on the scene of a fire at the Windsor Inn Residence Apartments on Washington Street.
Monroe Fire Investigators have confirmed to NBC 10 News that pipe repairs were the cause of Friday's Windsor Inn Fire that burned 24 apartment units, caused two minor injuries and left 50 people without a home.
Investigators said it all started when two plumbers were inside the interior wall that stretched down the middle of the 24 units, splitting them into two sides of 12 apartments.
According to the authorities, the plumbers were sweating a water pipe after it had burst. Sweating involves using a torch to heat the cut end of a copper pipe and a connecting piece of pipe, causing the solder to melt and form a leak-free fusion of the pipes.
Investigators said during the sweating process, the fire sparked in the interior walls and then spread through the attic.
The plumbers then tried to put the fire out with two fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful, according to authorities. It was then that a maintenance worker saw the smoke and called 9-1-1.
Monroe Fire Investigators commend the plumbers and maintenance workers for helping to get everyone evacuated until firefighters arrived, making sure no one was killed in the blaze.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Crews on the scene report the fire now being contained.
Officials on the scene say two minor injuries have been reported. The building has 24 units and 50 occupants.
17 fire units worked the scene of the massive fire at the Windsor Inn Residence apartments, located on the 2400 block of Washington Street in Monroe. It sparked around 12:40 p.m.
The Dollar Tree store located next to the Windsor Inn was evacuated as a precautionary measure in case the fire started to spread.
Inn Maintenance Worker, Anthony Coleman, saw the smoke and called 9-1-1.
"I saw the smoke and we couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from," he said. "We had to go from there and, first of all, get people out of the building because safety is first."
Inn resident Frederick Ward ended up trapped in the nearly 40-foot area between a fence and his burning home.
"I'm scared to go around by the building because it's hot," Ward said. "Right where we're standing, you can feel the heat pressing down on me right now."
Thankfully, Ward was evacuated mere seconds after NBC 10 News interviewed him.
"Once our guys got on-scene, basically they assisted the maintenance workers in evacuating all of the apartment complexes," Interim Monroe Fire Chief, Terry Williams, said.
Everyone was successfully evacuated but now there are around 50 people without a home.
Firefighters are still looking for a cause.
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The fire is now being fought from a defensive angle. Multiple units are on scene at the fire.
No word on any injuries. Crews on the scene say the Dollar Tree nearby has been evacuated.
KTVE does have a crew on the scene and will bring you any updates as they develop.
Photo take by Nick Lawton:
These photos were sent to us by Heather Tedeton:
Original Story:
Monroe fire crews are on the scene of a fire at the Windsor Inn Residence Apartments on Washington Street.
