MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon firefighters responded to a fire at 205. Shirley Ave. at approximately 11:15 a.m. Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy reported the fire contained at about 11:49 a.m.
“I believe they had fire showing with smoke on the initial dispatch,” Christy said. “Members of the Mount Vernon Police Department were on scene assisting with evacuation. They also gave us a good size-up of the back of the building and that it was fully involved with fire.”
Christy said when the fire department arrived they sent crews into the other apartments to do a quick search to make sure everyone was out of the building.
“We did a search first and then sent the crews into the apartment that actually had the fire to try to extinguish it,” Christy added.
No determination had been made regarding the cause of the fire. “This can take some time to determine,” said Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy.
The Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the tenants of the building according to Dee Hoeflich.
“We have talked to them all,” said Dee Hoeflich. “One gentleman told us he did not require any assistance. The others have been provided with shelter, food and clothing.”