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Blaze Rages at Indianapolis Apartment Complex Construction Site
By RICK CALLAHAN
Associated Press Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Fire gutted a luxury apartment complex under construction a few blocks from the Statehouse early Thursday, with bright flames consuming part of the six-story complex and gray smoke billowing across the downtown skyline.
AP Photos/AJ Mast
No injuries were reported.
The $28 million Cosmopolitan on the Canal complex was considered a total loss, Fire Department spokeswoman Rita Reith said. The cause of the fire, which broke out around 3:30 a.m., was not determined.
Jerry Collins, president of the developer, Flaherty & Collins Properties, said the complex was fully insured and he plans to rebuild.
The three interconnected buildings sat beside a pedestrian walkway-lined canal near several other residential and office buildings. Terri Dusenbery and her husband, who live nearby, briefly fled their condo out of fear the fire might spread.
"Our bedroom was bright orange and I thought, `What is going on?'" she said. "So I got up and looked out, and the fire was so intense our window was hot."
The project included 218 apartments, a parking garage, a canal-side cafe, a fitness center and 20,000 square feet of retail space, and the company had hoped to begin renting units in May.
About 125 firefighters brought the fire under control, said Reith. A portion of the structure collapsed and firefighters were still working on the smoldering structure hours later.
Mayor Greg Ballard said firefighters kept the flames from spreading to adjacent buildings. "It's a remarkable job how they got in there to do this," he said.
The upper floor of the nearby Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana headquarters sustained some damage, Reith said. The building is a 1879 Italianate home that the organization restored and expanded in a $2.1 million project, according to the group's Web site.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Fire gutted a luxury apartment complex under construction a few blocks from the Statehouse early Thursday, with bright flames consuming part of the six-story complex and gray smoke billowing across the downtown skyline.
AP Photos/AJ Mast
No injuries were reported.
The $28 million Cosmopolitan on the Canal complex was considered a total loss, Fire Department spokeswoman Rita Reith said. The cause of the fire, which broke out around 3:30 a.m., was not determined.
Jerry Collins, president of the developer, Flaherty & Collins Properties, said the complex was fully insured and he plans to rebuild.
The three interconnected buildings sat beside a pedestrian walkway-lined canal near several other residential and office buildings. Terri Dusenbery and her husband, who live nearby, briefly fled their condo out of fear the fire might spread.
"Our bedroom was bright orange and I thought, `What is going on?'" she said. "So I got up and looked out, and the fire was so intense our window was hot."
The project included 218 apartments, a parking garage, a canal-side cafe, a fitness center and 20,000 square feet of retail space, and the company had hoped to begin renting units in May.
About 125 firefighters brought the fire under control, said Reith. A portion of the structure collapsed and firefighters were still working on the smoldering structure hours later.
Mayor Greg Ballard said firefighters kept the flames from spreading to adjacent buildings. "It's a remarkable job how they got in there to do this," he said.
The upper floor of the nearby Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana headquarters sustained some damage, Reith said. The building is a 1879 Italianate home that the organization restored and expanded in a $2.1 million project, according to the group's Web site.
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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dennis Brown on
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Boy did they have there hands full
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Permalink Reply by Alejandro Coronel Barredo on
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Great fire, great job, compliments from Valparaíso.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Shephard on
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I assume no injuries
No one said?
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Permalink Reply by Kirk D. Baughman on
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man sure glad on one got hurt. this is the reason why we train to handle this kind of stuff if it breaks out. plus it take everyone from cheifs to drivers and firefighters and rookies.
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hello! Images that imprecionantes
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on
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i live 20 miles south and at sun rise i could see smoke looking to the north. Thats a big fire.
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Permalink Reply by paul le blanc on
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THIS IS A HOLY F--K FIRE.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Woodman on
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That really Sucks! The mayor has no idea as to how to protect his and your city! What about the police department, huh thats right it's always the Fire Departments that get the hose!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Bobby lingard on
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Too bad the complex was lost, but a great a job by the men and women, working one of the world's most demanding job's.
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