Fargo firefighters responded to a report of smoke in an apartment building at 9:50 a.m. this morning at 1001 42nd Street South. The building contains 48 apartments. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke on the first and third floors.
The first arriving engine checked an apartment on the first floor for the source of the smoke while other units checked for fire possibly hidden in a wall causing the smoke on the second and third floors. Crews who were checking for fire extending from the first floor did not find any but began evacuating the building because of the smoke. Crews ended up finding a fire in a wall of an apartment on the first floor near and around a baseboard heater and its components. Residents were allowed back in the building after the smoke had been cleared but the resident of the one affected apartment would likely not be able to stay there tonight while repairs are made.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but the baseboard heater and its components were involved in the fire. Damage is estimated to be approximately $7500.00. There was minor fire damage in one unit. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.
The Fargo Fire Department responded with 16 personnel on four engines, one truck, and one command vehicle. The Fargo Police Department and FM Ambulance also assisted.