‘People were jumping out windows’ during apartment fire.

‘People were jumping out windows’ during apartment fire.

#OceanaCountyNews #Hart

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — Several people are injured and 81 residents are displaced due to a massive fire at the Parkview Manor apartment complex at 710 East Main Street early Thursday morning, Dec. 15.

“People were jumping out windows,” said Hart Area Fire Chief Ken Klotz. It was reported that six people were injured in the 12:36 a.m. blaze, and all of the six buildings in the complex were evacuated.

Two of the buildings, which each have eight one-bedroom units, are completely destroyed, said Klotz. The remaining buildings were evacuated due to smoke damage and electrical issues, he said.

Victims were treated at area hospitals, and most have been released, said Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar during an 8 a.m. press conference. American Red Cross is helping those who have been displaced, Salazar said.

Klotz confirmed that at least four people were injured. When he arrived at the scene, he observed four people lying on the ground, he said. He also witnessed a state police trooper catch someone who jumped out a window, he said. Flames were shooting out of the front door of the building where the fire ignited, he said.

Investigators are on scene trying to determine what caused the fire, Salazar said.

Police from the Hart, Shelby and Pentwater departments responded to the scene, as well as the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office and the Hart post of the Michigan State Police, Salazar said. In addition to the Hart Area Fire Department, firefighters from Shelby-Benona, Pentwater and Ferry Township responded to the huge fire. Pere Marquette Township Fire Department of Mason County was called for its aerial truck. The Norton Shores Fire Department Canteen Unit was also on scene to provide beverages and snacks to the firefighters battling the blaze in frigid conditions. Multiple EMS units also responded, Klotz said.

“Residents were self-evacuating from the building,” Salazar said. “It’s too early to determine the cause.”

The apartment complex is insured, Klotz and Salazar said.