No Injuries Reported in Condo Fire Off Adams in Rochester Hills
The fire destroyed 8 condo units at the Oakwood Park condominium complex Wednesday afternoon. Officials said no cause was immediately known.
A fire destroyed a building of condominiums at Oakwood Park, a complex on South Adams Road in Rochester Hills on Wednesday afternoon.
Rochester Hills Fire Chief Ron Crowell said no one was injured in the fire; the cause was unknown.
Witnesses said they saw flames and smoke billowing from the roof of the complex shortly after 1 p.m. Pete Jubb, a painting contractor, was on his way into the Pheasant Ring subdivision, located across the street from the condominiums, to see a client. He saw the flames coming from the deck of one of the apartment units and he saw people running around the complex. He said he took one of the first photos of the fire, at 1:01 p.m.
By 1:30 p.m., smoke could be seen from as far north as Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills.
About 30 personnel from fire and police departments in Rochester Hills, Rochester, Auburn Hills and Oakland Township were on the scene to fight the blaze and control traffic shortly after.
Crowell said when he arrived the complex was engulfed in flames.
Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office closed Adams Road between Avon and Hamlin roads while the crews fought the fire. The road remained closed as of 3:45 p.m.
Christopher Crawford lives in Pheasant Ring in a home directly across from the fire. He said he heard noises outside and walked into his driveway to see the building clouded in smoke. No one was being allowed to drive into or out of the Pheasant Ring subdivision; many of the residents lined the sidewalk of Adams Road to watch firefighters battle the blaze.
Other witnesses said they saw people with garden hoses trying to fight the fire while waiting for fire crews to arrive.
At 3 p.m., the fire was out and investigators were entering the complex in an attempt to find a cause for the fire.
None of the firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation or other injuries, Crowell said.
This story was updated at 3:45 p.m.
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atherium
2:02 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
At the scene now, total craziness
Jon Shier
2:31 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I'd avoid the area if I didn't live there. Any idea of the exact address?
Kristin Bull
3:47 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The complex is across the street from Pheasant Ring. The exact address for Oakwood Park is River Oaks Boulevard.
Pamela
3:35 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
My sister lives in the complex. Have they got the fire under control yet?
Kristin Bull
3:46 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Pamela - the fire is out, though crews are still on scene. There are no injuries, according to investigators. I hope your sister is okay.
David Gifford
4:44 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Interesting fact: the first persons on the scene after the fire is under control are electricians. They have to make sure that power lines will not cause any further fires, then they much restore power to temporary panels and run strings of lights and temporary plugs for drying equipment. For homes that can be saved and suffer mild fire and water damage, the dryers begin immediately and a restoration company will be on site to box up personal items. I'll never for get my first fire as an electrician. Glad to hear no one was injured.