Fire at Elkhart apartment complex, second fire there within two months

ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — More than 20 apartments were left damaged at a complex in Elkhart, following a fire Saturday.

While some who live at the complex say they’re grateful for the first responders who were there Saturday say they’re feeling deja vu.

Crews spent hours battling flames at The Highlands Apartments.

Firefighters responded to the scene around 4:20 p.m.

When firefighters arrived to the scene to find that flames had already gone through the roof of the building…

Elkhart Fire Chief David Cushwa says it took crews from Elkhart, Cleveland and Osolo to put it out.

Officials say it appears everyone has evacuated safely and no injuries are reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“They quickly started an offensive attack, stretching lines, getting in and evacuating people. We had assistance from the Elkhart police department in clearing those apartments which was extremely helpful,” Chief of Fire Operations David Cushwa says.

A total of 24 apartments were damaged. Cushwa says the wind worked against the crews while helping spread the flames.

“Unfortunately that wind did help progress the fire especially within that attic space so it got ahead of us very quickly. We played catch up right off the bat,” Cushwa says.

This is the second fire at this apartment complex this month. There was also a fire at this apartment complex mid-April, when about 15 apartments were damaged.

The cause of that fire is still unknown.

One woman who escaped Saturday’s fire says she’s is in disbelief that this has happened here again, so soon.

“I was just telling my dad that it just seems crazy to me that in the last month there’s been two apartment buildings. Two of them, completely gone,” Debra Lowes says.

The Elkhart Fire Chief says it’s important to be fire safe all the time from cooking, heating and everything in between and to make sure you have home insurance to protect your belongings.