At approximately 4:38 PM on Wednesday, January 15, the Central Dakota Communications Center received a report of a fire in an eight-unit apartment building on the 100 block of East Bismarck Expressway. The Bismarck Fire Department was dispatched, along with the Bismarck Police Department and Metro Ambulance.  The first arriving fire crew reported a two story eight unit apartment building with smoke showing from the 1st floor.  The fire crew established command, and deployed lines to initiate an attack on the fire. Fire crews found substantial fire, primarily in a bedroom of the involved apartment, and completed extinguishment within approximately 15 minutes after arrival. 

Simultaneous to the fire attack, crews conducted a search of the apartment involved in the fire and found no occupants inside. Additional crews ensured evacuation of all other units of the building.  After extinguishing the fire in the apartment, fire crews conducted overhaul operations to ensure that the fire had not extended into the walls or ceiling area that had been exposed to fire. There was substantial smoke and heat damage to the rest of the involved apartment.

Two people were reportedly in the residence at the time the fire was discovered. They were alerted by a smoke detector activation in the bedroom, which had the door closed. They checked the room and found it on fire, so they evacuated the apartment and called in the fire. 

Bismarck Fire Department fire investigators were not able to confirm a direct cause of the fire, so at this time the cause is undetermined.

Seven fire department apparatus and 19 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.  Bismarck Police Department assisted with scene control.  Metro Area Ambulance was on scene to provide medical support.  MDU was called to the scene to secure utilities. 

There were no injuries to the occupants of the building or responders.  Only the occupants of the involved apartment were displaced. Fire damage was limited to the apartment of origin, and residents of the other seven apartments were able to return to their homes.

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