JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Johnson City officials warned motorists on Wednesday that an active apartment fire near North Roan Street and Sequoyah Drive closed a section of a road as crews work to douse the flames.
According to Johnson City Fire Chief David Bell, firefighters responded to two apartments on fire around 12:15 p.m. at the 100 Block of Sequoyah Drive.
15 units at the apartment complex were damaged due to fire or water. One dog reportedly died and according to Bell no other injuries were reported.
Resident Mariah Roberts said everything in her apartment was destroyed, but that someone knocked down the door to save her dogs.
When asked what her next step will be, Roberts said, “I don’t know. It’s just one of those things that happen. You have to move on.”
Bell told News Channel 11 that residents of the 15 units affected have been displaced due to the damage. The American Red Cross is serving the tenants, and provided them with financial assistance to stay in local hotels Wednesday evening.
Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Northeast Tennessee, Heather Carabajal, told News Channel 11 the organization would continue to work with families.
“We’ll be working with families on their recovery plan, trying to figure out once we know the extent of the damage, if they’ll be able to get back into the home or if we’re helping them find something a little more long term,” Carabajal said.
The fire was reportedly under control two hours later. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
