The East Point Fire Department said Saturday it has begun an investigation into why hydrants were not operating at full capacity during a Friday blaze that gutted a two-story south Fulton apartment building.
The Colony at Camp Creek Apartments went up in flames as firefighters scrambled to find water. After it became fully engulfed, firefighters could only work to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to a nearby building.
The fire displaced 25 people living in the building, but no resident was injured, fire officials said. Two firefighters, however, suffered minor injuries.
Fire Chief Rosemary Cloud said in a release that the hydrants are inspected by the fire department twice a year. Spokesman James Hammond said the last inspection at the apartment complex was in September 2011, and it was the last of two inspections. He could not provide the results of the inspections.
In her release, Cloud said fire officials determined that most of the hydrants involved in Friday’s fire are privately owned by Colony at Camp Creek Apartments, which she said is responsible for maintaining them. She did not provide any details on hydrants in the area maintained by the city.
“We are doing a thorough investigation and we understand our responsibilities to the citizens of East Point,” Cloud said. “We understand there was a water issue and we are in the process of doing a full investigation.”
The chief added that when a private hydrant does not meet national standards, “we take the necessary steps to enforce the Fire Code.” The fire chief said more information would be available Monday after a debriefing meeting.
Efforts were made Saturday to reach Cloud to obtain more information on the hydrant inspections. Efforts also were made to reach management at Colony at Camp Creek.
The spectacular blaze occurred at a six-unit building in the 3200 block of Drexel Lane. The apartment complex is just south of Camp Creek Parkway and just east of I-285.
Residents told Channel 2 Action News that no alarms sounded and a maintenance man knocked on doors to alert them.
East Point fire crews were dispatched to the scene around 5:15 p.m. and said they arrived within minutes. There was heavy smoke coming from the upstairs and attic when they arrived, and the building already had been evacuated, authorities said. Fulton County crews also responded.
"They were hollering, ‘We can't get no water, we can't get no water," resident Osunjii Yeldell told the TV station, adding that she watched for hours as the building burned down.
"We did find hydrants that were slow in getting water and we did readjust to get some water," East Point Fire Department Deputy Chief William Ware told Channel 2.
Ware confirmed the complex was the same site of a blaze in 2010, but he said the building involved in that incident was not the same one on fire Friday.
The American Red Cross was called to assist those displaced by Friday’s blaze.
"Everything is gone, my marriage certificate, my baby pictures, my pictures," resident Belice Buckner said.
About the Author
