MOUNT VERNON — Careless smoking appeared to be the cause of a fire at a West Vine Street residence early Monday morning, according to Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy.
Cory Michael, who rented the upstairs apartment at 804 W. Vine St., was arrested after the fire by Mount Vernon police, and charged with disorderly conduct and persisting, according to Capt. George Hartz of the Mount Vernon Police Department. Michael was taken to the Knox County Jail.
According to Christy, Michael was awakened by the fire and went down to alert the family living in the first-floor apartment.
Two engines and a medic responded to the fire, which was called in to 9-1-1 at 12:37 a.m.
“Upon our arrival, there was heavy black smoke coming from the second floor,” Christy said. “The Mount Vernon Police Department was already on the scene and informed us the occupants were all outside.”
The residents of both apartments escaped without injury; however, a pet cat was killed in the fire.
Christy said the fire started in the living room of the upstairs apartment.
“We were able to knock the fire down and contain it in its room of origin,” he said.
The chief said the upstairs apartment sustained fire and smoke damage, and the downstairs apartment sustained heavy water damage.
The Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross assisted the family renting the first-floor apartment with a place to stay.
Christy said two smoke detectors were found in the upstairs apartment.
“Neither was functioning properly because it appears neither had a battery,” the chief said. “[Michael] was very fortunate to get out of that house.”
