At approximately 8:27 AM, on Monday, May 3, the Central Dakota Communications Center received a report of a fire alarm at an 8-unit apartment building located on the 400 block of Riverside Park Road. The Bismarck Fire Department was dispatched to investigate. While fire crews were en route, Central Dakota Communications reported that there was fire and smoke in the building and a resident trapped in a second-floor apartment. The first arriving fire crew found some occupants evacuated, with smoke showing from the building

The first arriving fire crew established command and conducted a scene size-up.  A ground ladder was deployed to rescue one resident from a second-floor window, while a hose line was deployed and a fire crew went inside to attack the fire in a garden level apartment.  As more fire crews arrived on scene they were assigned tasks such as primary search of the building, securing the water supply, deploying additional hose lines, ventilation, and securing utilities. When the fire was extinguished an overhaul operation was conducted to find any remaining smoldering materials, and the house was ventilated of smoke.  

Six fire department apparatus and 19 fire fighters were dispatched to the scene.  The Bismarck Police Department assisted with scene control.  MDU assisted with securing utilities.  Metro Area Ambulance was on scene to provide medical support.  The Crisis Care Chaplaincy was called to the scene to provide support.  There were no injuries to first responders.  Prior to fire crews arriving on scene, a neighbor helped to rescue a child from the second story window. The apartment where the fire occurred was occupied at the time of the fire, and the occupants were able to evacuate safely. The occupants of the fire apartment were displaced by the fire.

There was heavy fire and smoke damage throughout the interior of the fire apartment. There was smoke and heat damage to the common areas, and smoke damage to neighboring apartment units.  A fire investigation was conducted and the cause of the fire has been classified accidental.

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