Careless smoking is likely the cause of a fire that damaged a South Salina apartment complex.

According to the Salina Fire Department, crews were dispatched to The Ridge Apartment complex located at 2363 Chapel Ridge at approximately 3:00 Wednesday afternoon, to reports of fire and smoke coming from the front of a two-story apartment building at the complex.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire and smoke conditions extending from the front of the building into the soffit with fire already extending into the attic and through the roof. Crews immediately began fire suppression operations while also conducting a search for occupants in the affected apartment units.

Due to the amount of active fire and potential for life safety issues, a second alarm was struck upon the arrival of the on-duty Battalion Chief.

The fire was brought under control within approximately 30 minutes, with crews remaining on scene for an extended period to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to check for any extension into neighboring units.

While several residents were displaced as a result of the fire, all occupants were able to safely exit the building and there are no injuries to report.

The cause of the fire has been ruled as accidental and likely due to the careless discarding of smoking materials near the front of the building.

The Salina Fire Department was assisted by the Salina Police Department, Evergy and the Salvation Army. The thank the partner agencies for their assistance and the public for their
cooperation during the incident.

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ORIGINAL: A fire Wednesday afternoon at a South Salina apartment complex has left eight units uninhabitable.

Salina Fire Chief Shane Pearson tells KSAL News at around 3:00 crews were dispatched to the Ridge of Salina, a complex formerly called Chapel Ridge, located at 2363 Chapel Ridge Place to the report of a fire. The Chief says dispatch received multiple calls that heavy smoke and flames were coming from one of the buildings.

According to Pearson, the first crews on scene discovered an active fire on the font side of one of the buildings in the complex, extending to the roof. They made an aggressive attack, and got the fire under control, but not until it had breached through the roof and into the attic.

Pearson attributes the aggressive attack by his firefighters, and a firewall which was installed in the building, to keeping the fire from spreading. He commended firefighters for doing an excellent job.

Four apartment units suffered extensive damage, and four other suffered lesser damage. All eight are uninhabitable.

The Chief says it appears the fire started on the outside of the building and worked its way up to the roof. They are investigating to determine how it specifically started.

There were no injuries, to residents or firefighters.