One apartment sustained major fire and smoke damage while two adjacent apartments sustained smoke damage and some water damage this morning.

Roanoke Rapids fire Chief Jason Patrick said the cause of the fire in the 200 block of Old Farm Road has not been determined. Foul play is not suspected, he said.

Firefighters responded shortly before 4:30 a.m. and observed fire extending from the front window and door of a single-bedroom apartment as well as fire coming from the roof overhang.

Everyone was out of the apartment and the police department assisted in evacuating six other apartments until the fire was under control and smoke cleared.

Gallery photos courtesy of the RRFD

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Patrick said the fire had not spread. “Quick response by on duty firefighters which consisted of seven B-shift personnel was instrumental in containing the flames and stopping the spread throughout the rest of the complex.”

Fire crews remained on scene for roughly three hours. 

“This situation could have been a lot worse if it weren’t for the rapid response of fire crews to extinguish the fire before it broke through the fire walls located in the attic,” Patrick said.  “A lot of times when the fire breaks through these walls in the attics you usually end up burning the entire roof off the apartment complex. This would have caused many more residents to be uprooted from their homes.”  

The American Red Cross was called to assist the occupants from the apartment which was damaged by fire and those adjacent to it which had received smoke damage.  

Along with the on-duty Roanoke Rapids Fire Department personnel, eight off duty firefighters responded to assist.  

Also assisting the fire department were Halifax County EMS, Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

“We would like to take this time to remind everyone to please check your smoke detectors and make sure they are working properly,” the chief said.x