Family Escapes Apartment Fire

A family of four is without a place to stay after a fire gutted their 2nd-floor apartment on the City's North side. The City of Madison Fire Department responded to the structure fire at 527 Northport Dr. at 10:55 this morning. Engine Company 10 was the first crew to the scene. Firefighters observed heavy flames on the balcony of the apartment, and heat had blown out the glass patio doors. A woman and two children were in the apartment when the fire started. They escaped without injury. A third child was in school at the time of the fire. Firefighters say the construction of the building helped to prevent the fire from moving into the attic. Crews knocked down the fire within 20 minutes of their arrival, but were kept busy with numerous hot spots. An apartment just below the fire apartment had some smoke damage. Ironically, the occupant of the 1st -floor apartment was moving out today. Other neighboring apartments sustained minimal smoke damage, but will be habitable. Power was being restored to those units. The building is part of The Woodlands apartment complex. Fire investigators are currently at the scene to try and determine the cause and origin of the fire. Red Cross volunteers are assisting the family.