PICKERINGTON, OH (WCMH) — Firefighters and emergency crews responded to a two-alarm fire off Diley Road in Pickerington, Wednesday.
According to 911 dispatchers, Violet Township firefighters were called to an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Lands End Circle around 12:44pm.
Dispatchers said when firefighters arrived on scene, the fire was upgraded to a two-alarm fire.
Video from Chopper 4 over the scene of the fire showed a partial roof collapse at the apartment complex. Firefighters say they were battling high winds, which helped spread the flames. A total of 16 units were damaged.
There were no injuries, and several dogs at the apartment complex were rescued alive.
“I looked and saw it and I put my shoes on and right out the door came out and flames were as high as a tree,” said apartment complex resident Todd Bullock. “There are people running in and out the building trying to get people out knocking and slamming down doors.”
Bullock says he was watching television when he first noticed the flames.
“There are people running in and out the building trying to get people out knocking and slamming down doors,” he said.
The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined. The fire chief says this same building burned three to four years ago.
“In the past, we have had fires here that started in the mulch,” said Violet Township Fire Chief Mike Little. “I won’t say that was the cause of this fire, but our investigators are looking into that about that possibility.”
Red Cross volunteers will be on site to help all those affected by the fire. There are no reports of any injuries at this time.