By Staff
NILES - Thankfully a fire in an apartment building with eight units had damage limited to just one apartment.
At 11:33 p.m., Thursday night the Niles City Fire department received a call of a fire at the Arbor Trails Apartments at 1615 N. Fifth St
The fire originated in apartment 174 which is one of eight townhouse style apartments in the building.
Firefighters from Niles City and Niles Township found smoke coming from the dwelling with fire apparent in the downstairs kitchen.
Because of the size of the building and the possible life hazards, the incident commander activated a box alarm using the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System which called a second unit from Niles Township Fire, an engine from Howard Township and a ladder from Clay Fire Territory.
Bertrand Township Fire was also called to move an engine to Niles Township Fire Station to protect the rest of the area.
Niles City Police officers assisted by clearing unaffected apartments at risk and Southwestern Michigan Ambulance Personnel were on scene in case a firefighter were to be injured.
Finally, all units were coordinated through the Niles Central Dispatch Facility located at the Law Enforcement Complex.
In all, the fire loss was estimated at $30,000 as the kitchen area received heavy fire damage with smoke damage throughout the apartment.
Thanks to the quick actions of firefighters the damage was limited to one apartment and the remaining tenants were all able to return to their homes within an hour.
The Niles Chapter of the Salvation Army responded within minutes to the scene to begin the process of getting the family, who had only recently moved in, back on their feet.
The family, like so many others who rent in Niles, did not have rental insurance. This is a bad situation that we run into often," Lamb said.