Apartment fire caused by cigarette displaces 13 Missouri S&T students in Rolla

October 25, 2011|edited news release from Rolla Fire and Rescue Department

ROLLAS, Mo. -- Firefighters fought a fire at an apartment complex at 503 East 12th St. that started shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday. Crews found heavy smoke and fire coming from the apartment complex when they arrived.

This apartment complex is made up of four different apartment buildings, which contained at least four apartments in each building. Dale Wands owns the apartments, which housed numerous Missouri S & T students.

Firefighters found heavy fire at the front of two of the apartment buildings. Crew squickly knocked down the fire and searched the buildings to make sure all occupants were out safely.

Rolla Fire and Rescue responded with two 75-foot ladder/pumpers, one pumper, and an air truck. In total, 17 firefighters responded to the scene, with personnel remaining on the scene for approximately 3.5 hours.

Due to the large number of occupants and the amount of property loss, the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue requested the State Fire Marshal’s Office help find the cause and origin of the fire. State fire investigator Roger Hayes helped the Rolla Police Department with the investigation, which determined it to be an accidental fire (unintentional) caused by the improper disposal of a cigarette.

The fire in the second building was caused by radiant heat transferring from the original fire building. The apartments were protected by working smoke detectors and it was through a quick notification through Phelps County 911 that lives and property were not further endangered.

All Missouri S & T students were provided housing (if needed) through the Missouri S & T Police Department. As of Tuesday afternoon, 13 Missouri S & T students were displaced with several being housed at T J Hall.

Fire damage to the buildings is estimated to exceed $200,000 with additional personal property damage to exceed $75,000.

The City of Rolla Fire and Rescue was assisted by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, Rolla Police Department, Rolla Municipal Utilities, Missouri S & T Police Department, and the Phelps County Regional Medical Center Ambulance Service.

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