By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – One person is dead after an apartment fire in Bloomington late Monday night.
The fire broke out around 11:08 in the 600 block of W. Market Street in a home that was turned into an apartment complex.
According to Bloomington Fire Department Public Information Officer Eric Davison, Engine 1 initially entered the building for an offensive attack.
Davison said 40 minutes into battling the blazes, the crews exited the structure and transitioned to a defensive tactic based on the conditions of the building.
“Crews were initially unable to get to the third floor due to the stairs being burned away. Crews attempted to enter the structure again to attack the ‘seat’ of the fire but were again forced out of the building based on conditions.”
According to a news release, firefighters found a missing resident in his apartment around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The identity of the 62-year-old man is being withheld until family can be notified.
In addition, five other residents were taken to local hospitals for injuries related to the fire.
The condition of the five is unknown at this time.
The American Red Cross is assisting eight individuals displaced by the fire.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and no damage estimate is available; however, the home is considered a total loss.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
