More than a dozen Boone residents were evacuated from their downtown loft apartments when fire struck early today.
Boone County emergency management coordinator Dave Morlan says firefighters have been able to isolate the fire, keeping it contained in one building.
Morlan says the firewalls remain intact and their chief concern was keeping the flames from spreading to the many adjoining buildings. Morlan says between ten and 15 people were forced out of their apartments by the fire.
Because of the extensive fire damage, he says they’ve had to switch off the electricity to several apartments and all residents were evacuated and will likely have to stay away for at least 24 hours. The fire was reported at 4:20 AM.
It’s believed the fire started in an apartment above one of several businesses, including the Iron Horse Antique Shop, the Iris Tea Room and a Chinese Buffet. No injuries are reported. The downtown remains blocked off. Due to the single-digit temperatures and gusty winds carrying the water from the fire hoses, much of the downtown is coated in ice.
See more photos on the KWBG radio website .