Three Families Displaced in Fayetteville Fire

Fayetteville firefighters put out a blaze at four-plex at the 500 block of Betty Jo Drive near Persimmon Street on Saturday afternoon. Officials said it started on the north side of the building.

“Crews arrived on scene and encountered heavy smoke and heavy fire conditions, a lot of traffic, a lot of foot traffic from occupants in the area,” said Fayetteville Battalion Chief, Mauro Campos. ”They set up for a defensive attack, which means they don’t go inside right off the bat until they get the fire knocked down. It was a lot of fire, a lot of smoke, a lot of heat.”

Residents in the four-plex were evacuated, and one family was treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported. Fire fighters rescued a chihuahua.

“Me and my girlfriend went to go sit out on the front porch and I smelled smoke and I started looking around I was like there’s smoke coming from over there and she’s like oh they’re probably just barbequing and I stood up and I was like no the house is on fire,” said neighbor Joshua Foster.

At this time, officials are not sure if the four-plex is salvageable.

“We don’t know, I haven’t actually looked at the building,” Campos said, ”It’s under investigation right now but there is extensive damage.”

Emergency tents were set up, and the American Red Cross is helping the displaced families.

As for the firefighters, Campos said fighting fires is difficult in this kind of heat.

“It is extremely difficult and extremely challenging,” he said. ”We have to have our guys rehab often. Usually a firefighter in this type of weather can go 10 maybe 15 minutes if he’s really fit. But, no reports of any heat exhaustion or heat stroke, anything like that from our firefighters. Everyone is in good shape.”

A child noticed the fire about 1:30 p.m. and told adults. As of 2:30 p.m. the fire was contained.

5NEWS has a crew on scene and will continue to bring you more information as this story develops.