Columbus firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at Pence Place Apartments at 5:09 a.m. Monday.
Firefighters were sent to 543 Pence Ave. about the fire, where they found heavy fire coming out of a second floor bedroom window at the apartment complex. Neighbors said the occupants of the apartment were out of town for Easter.
Firefighters directed a water stream through the upstairs window and knocked down the flames before moving to the interior of the apartment. Once inside the apartment, firefighters found the ground level free of smoke and flames. Firefighter then moved up to the second floor where they encounter high heat and smoke as they made their way to the bedroom. Firefighters extinguished the remaining hot spots and reported the fire under control.
The fire was contained to the second floor bedroom with heat and smoke damage visible in a bathroom and an additional bedroom on the second floor. Water damage was visible on the ground floor. Damages to the apartment are estimated at more than $25,000. The occupants will be displaced as a result of the fire. The Columbus Fire Department will be working with the family to assist with emergency shelter needs.
The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health Ambulance Service, Duke Energy and Columbus City Utilities. No injuries were reported during the incident.
