Escorted by firefighters, fesidents of a 12-plex apartment building in south Grand Forks wrecked by fire Friday returned Sunday afternoon to go through their former homes, looking for whatever could be salvaged.
A fire department official said several firefighters remained on the scene at the three-story building that had fire damage through the roof and water damage throughout, including the basement.
Residents began going back into the ice-coated building in the 2500 block of 17th Avenue South, about 1 p.m. Sunday.
Caution was needed because of the fire damage, the fire official said.
On Friday, firefighters were called out of the building because of concerns that fire damage in the roof would threaten anyone inside.
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It began about 8 p.m. Thursday ,when firefighters responded to a cooking fire, put it out and left.
But about 12 hours later, the fire appeared to have started again in the roof, and firefighters have been monitoring the scene ever since.
Sixteen people were displaced; some were taken up by friends or relatives; and others were given motel rooms that were paid for by the American Red Cross chapter based in East Grand Forks.
Reach Lee at (701) 780-1237; (800) 477-6572, ext. 237; or send e-mail to slee@gfherald.com .
