2023-01-09

Abandoned apartment complex fire: Multiple homeless people evacuated, roof collapses

Excerpt

Amarillo firefighters battled an early morning fire at an abandoned apartment complex.The fire at 209 N. Madison Street started around 5:45 a.m.According to the

Amarillo firefighters battle fire at abandoned apartment complex at 209 N Madison Street on January 9, 2023 (Ash Albright/KVII)

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Amarillo firefighters battled an early morning fire at an abandoned apartment complex.

The fire at 209 N. Madison Street started around 5:45 a.m.

According to the fire department, several vagrants were seen exiting the complex when firefighters arrived.

The roof collapsed, so firefighters set up a defensive attack.

Firefighters also searched the rest of the units and found multiple homeless people sleeping in them. They were evacuated.

"This is a known hang-out spot for vagrants, as we have responded to multiple fires at this location in recent years," said the fire department.

The Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.