The Danville Fire Department was dispatched at 6:00 pm for an apartment fire located at 1321 Piney Forest Road. The first arriving units found heavy smoke and fire coming from a window at apartment Y158. The apartment was one of eight in the building. Three engines, one ladder, and three support vehicles responded with the initial call. The incident commander called for a second alarm which added another engine and support vehicle. The DFD responded with 23 total personnel.
Engine companies attacked the fire and it was under control in less than 20 minutes. All eight apartments were searched while the fire was being extinguished. All occupants had cleared the apartment building prior to the DFD arriving on scene. There were no injuries during the fire.
Units remained on scene for three hours. During this time smoke was cleared from all apartments and the fire cause was investigated. The Fire Marshal's Office determined the cause of the blaze was discarded smoking materials on a bed.
The DFD also assisted occupants with removing valuables and clothing from the apartments. A total of 16 people were displaced. Most required somewhere to stay for at least one night. The Danville Red Cross is assisting each with housing for the next one to two nights. The Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Police, and Danville Utilities were also on scene assisting the Fire Department. Management and maintenance from the Woodside Complex also assisted each of the occupants.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief