Families displaced following apartment fire

The El Centro Fire Department said 12 families were displaced from their homes following an apartment fire over the weekend.

ECFD said Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m., the El Centro Police & Fire Dispatch Center began receiving 911 calls for a report of a residence on fire on the 1800 block of Main St. in the City of El Centro.

The first El Centro Fire Department Engine Company arrived on scene at 3:34 p.m., approximately five minutes after the initial 911 call, and found an apartment complex with light smoke coming from a downstairs unit. A Second Alarm was requested, receiving an additional Engine and Truck Company from Imperial County Fire Department

El Centro Firefighters performed an aggressive fire attack at 1855 Main St. Two Fire Engines, two rescue squads and a Battalion Chief were on the initial response to the fire. Firefighters entered the apartment and found flames inside a wall moving to the upstairs unit. Evacuations were carried out by firefighters. Fire department resources were able to extinguish the flames to prevent any further spread to adjacent apartments. The fire was contained to the initial apartment and the connecting upstairs unit.

The tenants were home during the fire and alerted the apartment management and activated 911. The affected apartment building was evacuated entirely and 12 families were displaced for the night. The American Red Cross assisted with temporary housing for affected families.

Fire crews remained on scene until approximately 7 p.m. Over a dozen firefighters brought the fire under control. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. The Imperial Irrigation District, So Cal Gas, American Red Cross, and El Centro Police Department assisted throughout the incident. El Centro Fire Department Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire.