Tenants displaced after Vanderbilt fire
A former hotel with nearly a dozen apartment units burned and partially collapsed early Saturday in Vanderbilt.
All of the tenants escaped from the Main Street building at about 2:45 a.m. Saturday. No injuries were reported, according to D.L. & V. Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Ambrose Jr.
The fire started in one of the rear units, he said. A state police fire marshal was called to investigate, but he was unable to make an immediate determination because the floor and roof collapsed, Ambrose said. He said the building owner did not have insurance.
The building, which is more than a century old, proved a challenge for firefighters because of its antiquated construction.
“I never, ever thought we’d put the fire out,” he said.
The fire was quickly knocked down, though firefighters remained on the scene until about 7:30 a.m. They were able to prevent the fire from moving to neighboring structures or rekindling. About 11 departments assisted on the scene, along with Fayette EMS.
“There were a lot of departments involved, and everyone did an excellent job,” Ambrose said.
The American Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents.