Fire At Madonna House Senior Apartments Displaces Dozens

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Dozens of residents from the Madonna House senior apartments on Cowan Boulevard are now homeless. A fire tore through the facility on Cowan Boulevard on Monday evening.

More than 45 residents have had to find new living arrangements due to the fire. 23 people have rehoused with family, 24 residents have found been rehoused or appropriately sheltered, and 10 are still working to find shelter with the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services and the Continuum of Care team.

The fire broke out around 10 p.m. on Monday night. When first responders arrived on the scene, they saw smoke emitting from the roof of the building, according to a report from the fire department.

Firefighters deployed hoselines and combatted the blaze from inside the building. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

When first responders evacuated the building, many residents went to the FRED central bus station, which acted as a temporary shelter for 60 people. Most of the residents were able to return to their home to retrieve belongings before going to their new housing situation, the City of Fredericksburg said in a news release.

On Tuesday, 34 residents were relocated to the Clarion Choice Hotel in Central Park. There, the evacuated people received support from the city's Department of Social Services and local religious and community organizations to find alternative housing. Local businesses like Best Western Fredericksburg, Wegmans, Chick-Fil-A, Wawa, and Juan More Taco have also supported the effort.

"Many of the displaced residents have lost all of their belongings," city officials said in a news release. "Members of our community who wish to help may do so by donating gift cards in any amount."

Gift cards can be delivered during business hours to Fredericksburg Department of Social Services, at 608 Jackson Street, Suite 100. At this time, DSS can not accept cash or donated goods. Anyone with more information about donating gift cards can call 540-372-1032.

Authorities have not said what could have caused the blaze. Fire department officials and inspectors from the department of community planning and building are still providing support at the Madonna House with plans to provide inspections and help re-open some apartments.