Voegele apartment residents were displaced from their homes following a fire on June 26 and it appears that a gas line in the building had been struck by lightning. Residents either individually found their own alternate housing, evacuated to a Red Cross shelter, or were provided hotel rooms by the Red Cross. When they can return to their homes has yet to be determined.
The Mansfield Fire Department responded to a call from the Voegele building Wedneday for a report of heavy smoke coming from the elevator. Resident Valerie Harper called 9-1-1 after hearing a loud pop and seeing smoke coming from the elevator, but her apartment sustained some of the worst damage.
According to Asst. Fire Chief Chris Speelman, firefighters found heavy smoke inside the back bedroom of Harper’s apartment and drywall had to be removed to extinguish the fire. Heavy charring was also found in the ceiling and pipe chase of her apartment.
The fire department also found multiple apartments had suffered damage from the fire. Electrical lines that ran above the gasoline lines were damaged. Speelman advised placing a fire watch on the building until an electrician examined the building.
Twenty-one of the 25 apartments in the building were occupied. When the building was secure, residents were escorted into the building to retrieve personal items.
“We provided coolers to residents so they could retrieve any frozen food that might still be in their apartments and we also provided comfort kits to residents,” said Red Cross Administrator Julie Frim.
Andrew Whapham, CEO and Broker of Community Investment Management Services for the building, said, “All power is shut down right now in the building. There needs to be a proper electrical inspection to take place.”
Whapham added, “We are grateful to the Red Cross for all their help with the residents. They are helping to coordinate places for people to stay during this time.” There were no injuries or loss of life.
