By KEITH UPCHURCH
kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612
DURHAM -- Flames ripped through an upscale, southern Durham apartment building Saturday, destroying at least five units, injuring five firefighters and displacing 23 occupants.
Fire officials said the blaze was accidental, apparently caused by someone discarding a cigarette into a cardboard box on an apartment deck.
No occupants were hurt, and firefighters rescued a dog from the burning building.
Three firefighters were taken to the hospital -- two with heat-related injuries and one who cut his hand while fighting the blaze, according to Deputy Fire Chief Dan Curia of the Durham Fire Department. Two other firefighters suffered heat-related problems and were sent home. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, Curia said.
Capt. Glenn Pike of the Durham Fire Department helped battle the fire at Building C of Farrington Lake Apartments at 6205 Farmington Drive, off Farrington Road.
"We started pulling the ceilings down, because the fire was all in the attic," he said. "We started hitting it with water, but it had a real good head start on us."
At least 60 firefighters fought the blaze in 90-degree temperatures, and exhaustion was etched on many flushed faces Saturday afternoon as firefighters tried to catch their breaths after the blaze had been brought under control.
Fire hoses lay across the street like thick ropes of spaghetti as fire and rescue trucks stood by in case the blaze rekindled.
In addition to the Durham Fire Department, firefighters from the Bethesda and Parkwood volunteer departments in Durham and the Chapel Hill and Morrisville departments responded.
Curia said the five apartments on the top level were heavily damaged or destroyed, and the other 10 units in the building had smoke or fire damage.
The Red Cross was called to provide temporary housing to the displaced occupants -- 21 adults and two children, according to Curia.
Curia said firefighters got the call to the apartment complex at 3:17 p.m. and the first units arrived seven minutes later. He said it took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.
Saturday's heat made things worse, especially with the heavy equipment firefighters have to wear.
"Heat like this is extremely dangerous," Curia said. The equipment is "like wearing a winter coat and ski bibs going into a house. And just the amount of fluid they lose with their gear on and their breathing apparatus is phenomenal."
Curia said he wasn't aware of any charges being filed Saturday in connection with the fire.
