March 27, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-22) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO APARTMENT FIRE Mobile Fire-Rescue Department Units responded to an apartment fire located at the Maison Imperial Apartments at 217 Berwyn Drive. The call for help was received at approximately 10:36 p.m. on Monday night, March 26, 2001. First firefighters arrived at approximately 10:42 p.m. and reported heavy fire coming from apartment 220 located upstairs in the two-story wood frame building. The fire appears to have originated in the living room near or in the fireplace of apartment 220. There was some fire spread to apartment 219 below. Firefighters quickly worked to stop the fire from any further spread. There were varying degrees of smoke and heat throughout #220 with some fire, smoke and water damage to #219. The occupants of Apartment 220, Londa Bullin, 45 and James M. Williams, 53 told Mobile Fire Investigators they had started a fire in the fireplace approximately 3 hours prior to the fires discovery. They noticed smoke and checked the flue to see if it may have been closed but it was found to be open. Soon after, the apartment began to fill with smoke and they saw fire on the side of the exterior of the fireplace. They both escaped unharmed. The fire appears to have originated in the wall behind the fireplace. Mobile Fire Investigators found evidence to indicate the wood inside the wall may have been rotted due to possible water damage. The fire caused an estimated $70 thousand in damage. No injuries were reported. Engines 15, 18, 23; truck 10; rescue 18 and District 4 Chief John Hicks responded. ###