Apartment fire investigation continues

An uninhabited apartment caught fire Tuesday evening, but officials are still unsure of the cause.

At 5:12 p.m., Tuesday, the Red Oak Fire Department was called to the residence of Second Street and Nuckols Street for a structural fire. The southeast, ground-level apartment had a fire that the officials have determined started in the main living room on the east side of the building.

Firefighters called to the residence were able to douse the flames in about two minutes after arrival.

Red Oak Fire Chief Rick Askey has determined the fire was started by a human act, but has not found a definitive ignition source.

“We are still waiting for some information to come back to pinpoint the origination of the fire,” Askey said. “It could be something like a cigarette or a candle, but it also could be something purposeful.”

The damage to the apartment building has been labeled as “extensive,” with heavy smoke damage throughout all residences.

Most of the fuels for the fire were heavy combustibles including furniture, which create a much heavier, black smoke.

Three of the four apartments were occupied, but there were no residents injured.

The damaged apartments residents were in the process of moving.

“All of the property in the room that the fire was in was a complete loss,” Askey said. “Most of the items throughout the apartment were also destroyed due to the heavy smoke damage.”

The investigation of the fire is ongoing as the fire department receives additional information.

The building was turned back over to the owner, Steve Alstron of Underwood, Thursday.