Athens Blaze Displaces 19 Adults, 8 Children

ATHENS, GA — The cause of a Friday afternoon fire that displaced 19 adults and eight children is still being investigated, according to the Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services.

Fire officials said Monday there were no injuries as a result of the fire, which occurred around 5:30 p.m. at University Oaks Apartments.

According to the fire department, 12 of the 14 damaged units were occupied.

When crews arrived on scene, they saw the top floor and the roofline of Building M at University Oaks heavily on fire, according to the fire department.

After the fire was brought under control from the outside, crews entered the building to extinguish smaller fires and check for anyone still inside, fire officials said.

The American Red Cross provided assistance to the displaced residents. Fire officials said some of them stayed with friends or relatives.

“We believe that the time of day and the fact that these apartments had in-date, and working smoke alarms contributed to early warning and time for escape," Athens-Clarke County Battalion Chief Nate Moss said in a news release. “Events like these are a sobering reminder to check dates on our own smoke alarms and to regularly test them."