Video courtesy of Dig Deeper Network
DOVER — Crews have cleared the scene of a morning apartment fire that has displaced residents and injured at least one firefighter.
The fire broke out this morning about 7 a.m. in Building F at the Greens at Cedar Chase in Dover. The apartment complex is located behind Bob Evans restaurant on U.S. 13.
Dover Fire Chief Buck Carey said the fire broke out in the stairwell near the rear of the apartment building. The fireman was hurt when the ceiling of the third floor collapsed. He was taken to Kent General Hospital in Dover.
A resident who jumped from an apartment balcony was also injured and driven the hospital by another resident, Chief Carey said. Information on the injury was not available.
According to Chief Carey, 12 apartments in Building F will be condemned and residents will be displaced. A count of affected residents was not readily available.
Residents were taken to the apartment leasing office, said Chief Carey.
The Red Cross had arrived about 10 a.m. to assist.
Coty Gallagher, who lives in Building K, heard sirens as he was getting ready for work this morning and realized a neighboring building was burning. “I saw the face of God this morning,” he said. “I scrambled outside, ran down to the courtyard and could see the ceiling and roof over the stairs was on fire.”
He estimated 50 emergency vehicles from Dover, Cheswold and police and paramedic services were on hand. “It was absolutely filled with personnel very quickly. I’m thankful for them,” he said.