LATEST UPDATES: Birmingham crews end fire watch for massive Southside fire, 19 displaced
Video above: Previous coverage
Crews announced Sunday morning that fire watch is over for a massive fire that started on Friday and displaced at least 19 people in Birmingham.
Latest updates from Birmingham Fire on Sunday morning:
- Birmingham Fire and Rescue crews ended fire watch Saturday night.
- 20th Street South between 13th & 14th Ave., as well as Cobb Lane, are still blocked off for public safety reasons as of Sunday morning.
- The power grid was originally shut off to the area, but has since been restored, except for the affected buildings.
- Four buildings were involved. The primary building is a total loss. The three exposed buildings will "likely be a total loss" due to the damage, but this will be determined later by building inspectors.
What we know
Fire crews started responding to the fire around 5:30 a.m. at a vacant building on 20th Street South. It then spread to two apartment and condominium buildings.
The wood frame building, which had originally been a house and later a business, became fully engulfed in intense flames and the roof collapsed.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue said the fire spread to brick apartment and condominium buildings on either side. A total of four buildings were involved.
Within a couple of hours, one of the brick buildings where the fire had spread went up in flames and became fully engulfed. Later flames spread in the other brick building.
Listen to a fire official below discuss the toxic smoke.
Power was shut off to the area, but has since been restored to all of the areas except the buildings affected.
Thousands of gallons of water were used to extinguish the flames.
ATF was at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Helping those affected
There were people inside the apartments and condominium who were evacuated safely when the fire began, according to a fire department official.
There were no reports of any injuries. At least 19 people were displaced, according to the American Red Cross which was on the scene assistoimg them. Those residents had family or friends to stay with Friday night but a shelter is available in case those situations change.
The organization is also providing financial assistance along with mental and emotional support services for those who need them. A caseworker is assigned to help with any hardships during recovery over the next several months.
A look at American Red Cross at the scene.
Response from Birmingham
Council leadership and Councilor Crystal Smitherman, who represents the district, released a joint statement Friday morning.
"Like many others, we saw the massive plume of smoke early this morning coming from Southside. First, we’d like to thank the Birmingham Fire Department for their quick action and efforts to prevent the spread of this fire that engulfed several structures on historic Cobb Lane, some of which are still actively burning.
"As of this moment, we do not believe anyone was injured in this fire and that is a blessing and a testament to our first responders.
"Our city’s emergency services exemplify the best of public service, and we owe them a great debt of thanks. Our offices will continue to work closely with city officials and the affected residents to assess the damage, support recovery efforts and explore every possible avenue to restore one of our iconic cobblestone streets."
