By Staff
FIRE DAMAGE – Insurance adjusters plan to inspect damage at The Mark Apartments today. A fire that started on a second floor balcony of an apartment in Building 3 has forced several families into temporary shelter elsewhere. The blaze, which was classified as accidental, damaged seven apartments and destroyed an eighth on Friday. Photo by Kyle Carter/The Meridian Star
By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Oct. 28, 2003
Insurance adjusters plan to inspect damage today at The Mark Apartments after a blaze firefighters classified as accidental damaged seven apartments and destroyed an eighth late last week.
The fire began at about 11:30 a.m. Friday on a second floor balcony of an apartment in Building 3. The apartment complex is at 3315 North Hills St.
Clodfelter said she doesn't know if the damaged apartments will be demolished or repaired. She said residents from the damaged building are staying in local hotels or have other temporary housing.
Clodfelter said The Mark Apartments are not responsible for the cost of hotel rooms or temporary housing for residents whose apartments were damaged.
Clodfelter declined to identify the man whose apartment was destroyed. However, she said, the Jameson Inn on Bonita Lakes Drive donated a hotel room for him.
John Demary, manager of Jameson Inn, said the American Red Cross called and asked if the hotel could put up one person. "We said yes because this is a terrible tragedy and we wanted to help," Demary said.
Clodfelter said only a couple of dumpster fires have been reported at The Mark Apartments during her 171⁄2 years as manager. She said Friday's fire was a wake-up call for everyone.
Clodfelter said the prompt arrival of the fire department is the reason why damage wasn't more extensive.
Clodfelter praised Meridian's Key Chapter of the American Red Cross for its help.