Fire Damages Recreation Building At Elderly Housing Development

Fire Department officials are investigating the cause of a mid-afternoon fire that caused significant damage to two rooms in the recreation room at the Carnation Drive elderly housing development.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Al Vassas, the fire broke out in the brick and wood structure at around 2 p.m. It started in a back room, used as a workshop, said Vassas.

The fire spread to an adjacent workshop room and up into the rafters and attic of the building.

Fortunately, Carnation Drive is less than a half-mile from the Central Station and fire crews were on the scene quickly to knock down the flames, saving further damage.

"We were alerted by a fire alarm in the building. That's why we check these to make sure they are working," said Vassas. "It was a good stop. In another minute or two it could have caused a lot more damage. Fortunately, we had a fully staffed crew very close by."

The community room in the building was not damaged. No injuries were reported.

The precise cause of the fire was not immediately known. Lt. Scott Keddie is heading the investigation.