At approximately 8:05 PM on Tuesday, March 4, the Central Dakota Communications Center received a report of a fire at an apartment building on the 1100 block of South 11th Street.  The Bismarck Fire Department was dispatched to investigate. The first arriving fire crew reported nothing showing from the outside, with the residents evacuated, and the fire alarm sounding. The fire crew established command and went in to investigate. The fire crew found light smoke and water coming from an apartment on the third floor.  When they entered the apartment, fire crews found a small amount of fire in the living room.  The fire crew extinguished the remaining fire with a hand held water can extinguisher and searched the apartment to confirm that it was evacuated.  Additional fire crews arrived on scene and assisted with a search of the building to ensure that all occupants were evacuated, shutting down the fire sprinkler system, and ventilation of the building.  After the fire was extinguished, an overhaul operation was conducted to find any remaining hot spots. When overhaul was complete, control of the building was returned to the homeowner.

Seven fire department apparatus and 17 fire fighters were dispatched to the scene.  The Bismarck Police Department assisted with scene control. Metro Area Ambulance was on scene to provide medical support. The structure was occupied at the time of the fire.  There were no injuries to any occupants.  There were no injuries to first responders. There was moderate fire and smoke damage to the interior of the fire apartment.  A fire investigation was conducted to determine the fire origin and cause.  Once the fire investigation was complete the case was forwarded to the Bismarck Police Department.

The activation of the fire sprinkler system is credited with suppressing this fire and containing it to the area of origin.  The fire alarm system is credited with alerting the building occupants to the presence of the fire in the building and initiating a quick evacuation.

For more information, contact the Bismarck Fire Department at (701) 355-1400.